Carlo Ancelotti got it wrong about Jean-Philippe Gbamin as surprise Everton truth emerges

"He can be a top midfielder in the future," Carlo Ancelotti said of Jean-Philippe Gbamin in April 2021.

"He has all the qualities – technically and physically – of a top midfielder."

This was perhaps as good as it has ever been for Gbamin at Everton. So far, anyway.

He had finally returned to action after 597 days out - consecutive hamstring and Achilles injuries limiting him to only two prior appearances after a £25m move from Mainz in 2019 - as James Rodriguez scored in a 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace.

Ancelotti was full of enthusiasm for the 26-year-old midfielder after his cameo. And Evertonians had no reason to doubt him. After all, how could they? They had witnessed only 135 minutes worth of evidence before serious injury struck twice.

But then, a week later, the unthinkable happened. Gbamin was out - again - after a freak training-ground collision with Lucas Digne.

Yet Ancelotti doubled-down on his commitment. The Italian could be economical with the truth when it suited - he insisted several times he wanted to lead Everton to Bramley-Moore Dock - but he seemed to have genuine belief in Gbamin.

“I think that we are not going to replace him because we are sure he has the quality and the potential that he can play," Ancelotti said after the fresh injury was confirmed.

Less than 12 months later and Gbamin is 2,500 miles away in Russia after agreeing a mid-term loan move to CSKA Moscow. Ancelotti left for Real Madrid in June, while his replacement at Everton, Rafa Benitez, was sacked after 22 games in charge.

But Frank Lampard knew - or was told - enough about Gbamin to sanction a temporary exit three weeks after replacing Benitez as manager. So where does that leave the Ivorian?

His most recent run-out in