One of the best performers in Draft Fantasy Football last season, the potential transfer of Gylfi Sigurdsson to Everton could be bad news for managers. BBC Sport claim that the Toffees had a £40 million bid rejected this week, but if a move is completed, it may have a drastic impact on his season points tally.
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At 166 points last season, he became a dark horse shining in many teams, but the three reasons below may show why he could fail to live up to expectations if he moves to Goodison Park:
Competition
Sigurdsson played in every Premier League game for the Swans last season. The attacking midfielder started every game after the opening weekend, playing the full 90 minutes in all but three fixtures, which all came in the opening month of the season.
At Everton, he would not have that guarantee and would not lose points for game time alone, but also see his goals and assist tallies cut. With Davy Klaassen and Wayne Rooney both also having joined the Toffees this season, there are only so many attacking midfielders that Ronald Koeman can fit into one side.
With Ross Barkley also yet to depart, it is not clear how all four options would fit into the squad. If a transfer disrupts his pre-season schedule and Sigurdsson is left playing catch up with his fitness, it could be a tough task to nail down a regular spot in the side.
Pressure
In 38 games last season, Sigurdsson produced more goals and more assists than he did in his 58 Premier League performances for Tottenham. There may well be a variety of reasons for that, but some have suggested that the Icelandic international struggled with the pressure of performing for a big club like the Lilywhites.
Everton would fit a similar mould, and Sigurdsson would no longer be a big fish in a small pond, as he has been with his underdog sides like Swansea and Iceland, or even Reading or Hoffenheim before that.
Style of Play
Sigurdsson is used to putting crosses into the box and looking for a target man to get on the end of his deliveries. Alongside his through balls, he excels when a traditional target man is there to get on the end of his crosses, as was the case with Fernando Llorente at the Liberty Stadium last season.
Everton are likely to see Sandro lead the line in 2017/18, but the Spaniard has a very different style to his compatriot. The former Malaga and Barcelona striker is much more of a poacher, who will prefer the ball to feet. Given he is nine inches shorter than Llorente, that won’t come as a surprise, but may affect Sigurdsson’s return in points through assists.
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