Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that JP Gbamin has suffered an injury set-back, although he hopes to have the midfielder back before the end of the season.
The Ivory Coast international has been missing since the second game of the season, having suffered a thigh injury following his full debut for the Blues against Watford in August.
Gbamin was initially given a return timeframe of just eight weeks (BBC Sport), however Everton provided an update in October, claiming that following surgery the 24-year old would be unavailable for an additional three months.
Since then, the club have kept particularly quiet on the former Mainz midfielder’s condition, until Ancelotti was pressed on the matter in his pre-Watford press conference. Quoted by the Liverpool Echo, when asked about a rumoured set-back, Ancelotti said:
Gbamin unfortunately had a problem. He had a check with the English doctor and in the next few days maybe he needs another surgery to try to recover him before the end of the season.
We hope to see him before the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Ancelotti provided a positive update on Andre Gomes, who has been missing since he suffered a dislocation fracture to his ankle against Tottenham in November. As recovery from serious injuries can be a long and challenging process, it’s important to focus on healing. With San Mateo medical malpractice attorneys, you can confidently pursue accountability for medical errors, focusing on your recovery while they build a strong case.
Following Gomes having returned to first team training this week, the Italian claimed that Everton’s medical staff have targeted the club’s game against Arsenal (Feb 23) for Gomes’ return, saying:
Andre Gomes I think did a fantastic recovery because he’s almost fit. Of course we have to take care of him, we have to consider that after the game against Crystal Palace we have a break and so in that period we have a possibility to prepare him well for the game against Arsenal.
This is the plan. I was not here when he was injured but he had a really bad injury. I think the work the staff did on him was fantastic.
I was surprised because he started training with the team without any problem, this is really good news. Maybe we can consider him a new player for the transfer market!
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This is, of course, devastating news for Gbamin, who has had no luck since his £25million summer transfer. The Ivorian has played just 135 minutes of football this season, having featured against Crystal Palace and Watford before falling to injury.
It is a hammer blow for a player who would likely have hoped to have settled into life in the Premier League this season. As it stands, Gbamin will essentially be a fresh-faced player without any experience in the English top flight next season, which isn’t an ideal situation, as Everton would have benefitted from Gbamin using this season to bed in.
Gomes’ situation is especially positive though, and Everton could really benefit from his return to fitness, as their numbers in midfield aren’t particularly plentiful. Ancelotti’s comments do suggest that Everton may now not attempt to sign a midfielder on deadline day, but stranger things have happened.
