Seasons2019-20Everton News
Gbamin edges closer to being able to make Everton return
Everton's medical staff say they are happy with the progress of Jean-Philippe Gbamin's recovery from surgery on his torn quadriceps tendon.
The Ivorian has been out of action since August following little more than a couple of hours' worth of action for the Toffees after his £23m move from Mainz when he suffered the serious injury in training.
An initial operation was unsuccessful in correcting the problem but further surgery earlier this year appears to have put him on track for a long-awaited return to the side.
Given how patient the club have had to be with his rehabilitation, there were many who felt that Gbamin should be targeting next season for his return to Premier League action but the suspension of the campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic means that he could play again before the end of 2019-20 if the season does eventually resume.
That remains an open question for now but, thanks to a tailored individual programme that he can work through while in isolation, Gbamin is able to continue the strength-training part of his recovery in the meantime.
“He is working tirelessly to get back and sometimes I have to rein him in a little bit,” first-team physiotherapist Adam Newall told evertonfc.com. “We are pleased with where he's at in his recovery.
“With the surgery he had, the idea is to slowly increase the flexibility in the muscle and progressively ramp up its strength. Once you're happy with those parameters — which we are now — we can increase function.
“If we were back at Finch Farm this week, he'd be ready to build on his outside rehab with the physios. Therefore, we are slowly introducing sports-specific movements this week.
“He is extremely positive and looking forward to mixing with the lads and pushing to be back in training.
“The intention is to have a three-week period of reintegration [when the players return to Finch Farm], then we expect him to start joining the squad for training sessions.
“We are 11 weeks post-surgery and he is getting that bit closer to fitness, so he can continue with outdoor rehab when we get to Finch Farm. He can't wait to get back in and is desperate to be involved.
“It has been a really challenging year for him — but he is extremely positive and exactly where we want him to be physically.”
Reader Comments (24)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
2 Posted 20/04/2020 at 21:25:24
3 Posted 20/04/2020 at 21:52:29
4 Posted 20/04/2020 at 22:14:12
If we get him fully fit, who knows? A pairing of him and Gomes may prove the answer to our midfield woes. Fingers and toes crossed that the lad puts his injuries behind him and shows us what he's got.
5 Posted 20/04/2020 at 22:33:38
Be like a new signing? Anyway, I echo Mike @1 – be good to see anyone play at this stage.
6 Posted 20/04/2020 at 22:38:05
I wonder how many points we'd have if he'd been fit all season? His athleticism and box-to-box ability is what we've missed since Gueye left.
7 Posted 20/04/2020 at 22:42:05
8 Posted 20/04/2020 at 23:23:19
9 Posted 20/04/2020 at 23:38:38
I think we could have a real player on our hands when he is over his injuries and adjusts to the pace of the Premier League, which of course will take time.
10 Posted 21/04/2020 at 02:17:29
11 Posted 22/04/2020 at 10:03:22
12 Posted 22/04/2020 at 14:01:05
As most of us know, a solid midfield is crucial to getting results and Everton have not been up to snuff in that department for a few decades now. Oh, for a midfield of Reid, Sheedy, Bracewell and Steven again.
13 Posted 22/04/2020 at 18:01:10
It must also be difficult for all those who work for ToffeeWeb to find any stories to really kindle enthusiasm. Tough job but please keep trying. Your efforts are appreciated.
14 Posted 23/04/2020 at 10:21:33
15 Posted 23/04/2020 at 18:38:41
Well, the lockdown is getting to me... that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it. :-)
16 Posted 24/04/2020 at 05:34:01
Fingers crossed.
17 Posted 24/04/2020 at 10:45:50
19 Posted 24/04/2020 at 20:54:45
Get a decent manager and we can't use him due to a worldwide pandemic.
You couldn't make it up...
20 Posted 25/04/2020 at 17:57:04
21 Posted 03/05/2020 at 10:04:58
Can anyone explain to me why it is so difficult for professional footballers to play more than one game in a week?
22 Posted 05/05/2020 at 05:20:48
Silva may have still been manager? So overall, I think it may have worked out for the best.
As for Keane and Kean, both overrated. We need better.
23 Posted 05/05/2020 at 09:02:47
John #21, welcome to TW. I'd say it's hard for most modern footballers to play more one game a week because they're pushed to the limit physically most games. I've been enjoying watching the highlights of old games on the telly; the slightly (or very) slower pace allowed for more thought, guile and a contrast in pace, which in my view made it better. I suspect it was kinder on the players, too.
24 Posted 05/05/2020 at 09:14:42
When I watch matches from, say, the eighties, I always think that the game looks faster than today. There are no players feigning injuries, no players rolling around in “agony “, no trainers on the pitch every five minutes to tend to a broken finger nail, no stoppages for minimal “ contactâ€. The quick but tragically short bursts of football that interrupts the play acting may be quicker in one sense but the overall impression that I get is that the game as a whole is slower nowadays. Too many stoppages, not enough football. (I watched the 1970 F A Cup Final for a giggle last week. Great to see a bit of unpunished violence for onceðŸ˜)
25 Posted 05/05/2020 at 20:43:38
The older game flowed more and was better for the more subtle changes in pace.
You're right. The older game was quicker, these days the play is quicker.
And I'm also enjoying the less subtle sides of the old game. I forgot how wonderfully nasty that 1970 Cup Final was!
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
Top of the Page
1 Posted 20/04/2020 at 21:17:11
Of course, I'm looking forward to seeing anyone play again...