JP Gbamin’s agent has suggested that his client should change position to “assert himself” at Everton.
The Ivory Coast international was signed from Mainz this summer as a defensive midfielder, with the 24-year old seen as a long-term replacement for Idrissa Gueye, who left for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.
Gbamin has missed several games this season due to him having suffered a thigh injury in training, and while he begins working his way back to fitness, his agent has weighed in on his future.
Everton knew upon signing Gbamin that he is a versatile player. While Mainz primarily utilised him in a holding role, he has played as a centre-back in the past, and could play in most positions across the back-line.
Gbamin’s agent Bernard Collignon, talking to Sport Mania (via Sport Witness), suggested that his client’s career would be more prosperous if he committed himself to playing as a defender instead of a midfielder. Collignon said:
It is time for him to choose a position and to assert himself at this position (central defence).
According to me in central defence, he will become a player who will be worth more than €60m.
So it’s time for him in central defence because, in my opinion, that’s where he would make an excellent career.
In his first professional game in Lens, he was put in the right side; he can help out in several positions; however, he cannot excel at all positions.
He is a victim of his versatility and the fact he is a utility player… the kind of player who thinks of others before thinking of himself, which is rare in this environment.
At almost 24 years old, you have to make a choice. I have been Jean-Philippe’s agent since he was 15. I know him off by heart, and I am convinced that he would make a great career in central defence.
Read Everton Verdict
While I do think this is an interesting discussion to be had, particularly with Everton having a shortage of central defensive options currently, I cannot see Silva opting to move Gbamin further back.
We’ve already seen in recent weeks that Silva doesn’t like external suggestions regarding how he utilises the talent at his disposal. Tom Davies playing as a holding midfielder was an idea that was shot down out of hand, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Silva have a similar approach with Gbamin.
The Ivorian was signed as a midfield reinforcement, and even if Everton decided to pursue more midfield targets in January such as Abdoulaye Doucoure, it is unlikely that Gbamin would be moved back because of the whim of the agent or the player if Silva concluded that his best position was in midfield.
