Nicolas Jackson, Carlos Baleba react to Idrissa Gueye’s ‘goodbye’ Everton message
Idrissa Gueye grabbed the attention of several Premier League stars after Everton played at Goodison Park for the final time.
It was an extremely emotional game as Southampton visited Merseyside on Sunday, 18 May, as Iliman Ndiaye‘s brace was enough to seal all three points in the last home game before moving to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
David Moyes has done an incredible job since replacing Sean Dyche in January, leading the Toffees away from the relegation zone and just three spots away from the top half of the Premier League table.
Despite the excitement, with the summer transfer window around the corner, the exits of Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic, and Joao Virginia have all been confirmed, and more could follow.
Football Insider understands that Abdoulaye Doucoure and Gueye are uncertain over their Everton futures, though extending the latter’s contract is expected to be a top priority, according to The Athletic.
Idrissa Gueye waves goodbye to Goodison Park
Taking to Instagram (18 May), Gueye wrote: “Goodbye, Grand Old Lady,” before listing off the seasons he spent at Goodison Park during two separate spells with the Toffees.
His teammates, Ndiaye, Beto, Abdoulaye Doucoure, and Dwight McNeil all liked the post, and so too did Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, who Liverpool are targeting, Mick Brown understands.
David Moyes to carry Everton into the 2025/26 campaign
Football Insider verdict
Supporters are already looking ahead to the 2025/26 campaign following an emotional goodbye at Goodison Park, but not before Moyes is able to shape his squad in the summer transfer window.
The Friedkin Group (TFG) are expected to open their warchest once the window opens, ready to replace the multiple players who have played such a starring role over the last few years.
| Manager | Games | Wins | Drawn | Lost | Win % |
| David Moyes | 19 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 36.8 |
| Sean Dyche | 21 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 19 |
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is one of those whose contract expires at the end of the season, and while Football Insider understands that Everton hope to extend his deal, it does not mean they should.
The 28-year-old is just one of the injury-prone players in the current squad, and given the money that TFG can splash on Merseyside, the Toffees can afford to buy better this summer.
Despite the new, exciting owners, Everton still need to be careful over Jarrad Branthwaite’s future, but if they can keep the central defender from leaving, the team have a good base to build on for next season.