Everton playmaker, Gylfi Sigurðsson, who has scored nine goals in all competitions this season, has played an instrumental role in Everton’s fortunes this season under Marco Silva. The Blues, who are currently eighth in the Premier League, have secured 27 points from 19 league games this term.
The talented 29-year-old Icelandic international, who joined the Toffees in August 2017 for a then club record of £45 million, netted six Premier League goals in his first season at Everton.
Meanwhile, Everton face Brighton and Hove Albion tomorrow afternoon in the league at the Amex Stadium. Three days later the Blues then face Claude Puel’s Leicester City in the Premier League.
Everton’s Gylfi Sigurðsson explained to FOX Sports Radio 96.9 FM/1340 AM’s Dean Perretta about the Toffees expectations for the 2018-2019 season, Iceland’s first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance, as well as his thoughts on the positive changes which have taken place at Goodison Park.
Dean Perretta: First and foremost Gylfi, how was your personal experience in Russia at FIFA World Cup 2018?
Gylfi Sigurðsson: It was a fantastic experience, something I personally dreamed of as a kid, although I never expected to play in a World Cup.
I was just about fit for the start of the World Cup [after my knee injury]. I played my first 90 minutes against Argentina and was probably fully fit after the last game.
Of course, we were disappointed [to not make it out of the group stage] but we knew that it was going to be very tough for us to go through. I think we were in a really tough group with Argentina, and alongside Croatia who went all the way to the final.I managed to get about three weeks of holiday [after the World Cup], which I felt I needed after the rehab and tournament. And mentally it was important to go and think about something else and spend time with friends and family. To recharge and get ready for the new season.
Dean Perretta: Marco Silva most certainly brings a fresh tactical approach and a positive footballing philosophy to Goodison Park. How excited are you to play under Silva in the 2018-2019 campaign?
Gylfi Sigurðsson: There are a lot of things he’s trying to bring in a short period of time. Personally, I’ve only been back four weeks [after the World Cup] so there has been a lot of input from the manager, in training and in meetings. He’s trying to bring enjoyment into our football, press the other teams, work hard and be organized defensively. I think we are getting there and I don’t think we are too far away.
I think that’s how the manager sees it – he wants me to play central, which is nice. We’ve got some good wingers with pace and hopefully we can utilize them out wide and me playing through the middle.We’ve got a very good manager who is organized and passionate about his job. He’s very hands on, takes all of the training sessions and the players really like him. As time goes on and the more we work with the manager, we’ll be a lot better.
Dean Perretta: Before we leave Gylfi, what are your primary expectations and goals at Everton in the forthcoming season?
Gylfi Sigurðsson: We are concentrating on improving ourselves and making sure that we are ready. Hopefully we can get a good start in the coming weeks. The main thing is tactical work and working hard in training, which has been good. Most of the boys feel fit and ready to kick on.
Before a new season, you always look for it to be a positive one and you want to improve and do better than you did last season. All of the boys are determined to get a better start than last year as it took us a long time to get going.
I’ve been here almost a year – it’s a great place, a really good club. We have a really good squad of players and all of the players get along.
