How veteran midfielder Gueye brings more to Senegal than first meets the eye

Two matches, two defeats for Senegal. Yet, amid this bleak collective record, the individual story of the 36-year-old midfielder deserves to be considered separately and told in detail.

Against France first, Gueye received a rating of 6.2 from the new Flashscore ratings system. A figure that, out of context, might seem unremarkable.

But this number was calculated through a defensive and transitional lens, the only one that made sense given what was asked of him that night. For his 132nd cap - a record for the Senegal national team - Gueye had to fade into a deep, disciplined block, collectively constrained by the quality of the French side.

Six recoveries, two tackles, two out of three duels won: defensive numbers below average. Three progressive passes, four successful entries into the final third: slightly above. A performance without any particular highlight, much like the rest of his team that evening.

Gueye transformed into conductor

Then came the match against Norway. And here, a different Gueye, a different match. Facing a less dominant, more withdrawn opponent who left space, the Everton midfielder became the driving force, the conductor in midfield.

He played all 90 minutes in a completely different role: nine progressive passes, 13 successful entries into the final third, 26 passes in the attacking third, two entries into the penalty area, one key pass, and an expected assists (xA) of 0.33.

His rating of 7.6 from Flashscore was consistent with his performance and revealed what he can still bring at this level. One statistic alone sums up the extent of his influence against Norway: his 13 successful entries into the final third accounted for 27% of Senegal’s total.

A quarter of Senegal’s attacking progression went through his feet. Not through his legs, not through his pressing, but through his reading of the game, his precision, his ability to spot spaces before others saw them.

More or less influential depending on context

This is the Gueye paradox. At 36, with his contract at Everton expiring this month, he may be nearing the end of his club career. But for the national team, under Pape Thiaw, he remains a versatile piece whose value depends less on his raw form than on the tactical context he’s placed in.

When Senegal defends deep and is under pressure, Gueye disappears into the crowd. When Senegal can dictate the tempo, he becomes the keystone of the whole structure - the one who frees up Sadio Mane on the wing, who finds Ismaila Sarr in behind, who gives Nicolas Jackson the ball in the right conditions.

He has one match left to turn things around, against Iraq, with qualification as the sole objective. Senegal must win and hope for favourable results elsewhere. As for Gueye, he has already responded in his own way: "It’s not over yet. We have to believe."

This is all provided that manager Pape Thiaw gives him the right keys. Not those of a restricted defensive midfielder. The keys of a playmaker who, when trusted, still knows how to make a difference.

Daniel Musil, data analyst for Flashscore, confirmed it with the numbers: "Gueye’s 13 successful entries into the final third against Norway accounted for 27% of Senegal’s total. A figure that highlights his central role in the team’s progression."