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Gylfi Sigurdsson is not having a good season.

That may seem like a simple statement about the Everton midfielder but it is one that rings true in terms of his output and general level of play in this term.

The Icelandic international has started in all but four Premier League matches for the Toffees in this campaign, three times coming on as a substitute and once being left out of the squad.

He has captained on four occasions in the domestic competition too while only missing around 314 minutes out of 1890 minutes of action.

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The standard of his displays in those matches has left a lot to be desired - particularly when you think about just what a talented player he really is.

For example, Sigurdsson has only been directly involved in two league goals for the Blues this term - an assist at home to Wolves in a 3-2 win back in September and goal against West Ham after being brought on as substitute with just three minutes to go.

That means he is averaging a goal involvement a massive every 788 minutes whereas last term, he was averaging a goal or assist at a decent rate of every 165 minutes.

Everton's performance during their 2-0 victory at home to the Hammers back in October was one of the best of the season under Marco Silva but it was almost as if Sigurdsson took umbrage with the Portuguese manager about being left on the bench and came on to prove a point.

Positively, Sigurdsson's play of late has picked up since the departure of Silva, the interim boost of Duncan Ferguson and permanent appointment of Carlo Ancelotti.

It actually seems as if the Italian is beginning to have a positive effect on a number of the Everton squad while his world-class ideas are beginning to translate onto the pitch.

Before the 1-0 win against Brighton, Ancelotti discussed a need for Everton to perhaps produce more crosses in his pre-match press conference and Sigurdsson seemed to take note – putting a few dangerous balls into the box from deep areas throughout the first half.

In the second period the defensive side of his game was exposed a little more, but even in that there were signs of improvement. He was more willing to throw himself into challenges and make interceptions.

And it is this positive change, before picking up an injury that ruled him out of the draw with West Ham United, that could help Sigurdsson turn his season around.