Gylfi Sigurdsson says he is as happy as at any time since joining Everton from Swansea City in the late summer of 2017.
Icelander Sigurdsson played seven straight matches in his favoured position behind the striker before sitting out the majority of Wednesday’s draw with Leicester City.
The 31-year-old’s run in the side coincided with Everton marching up the Premier League table and booking an FA Cup fifth-round tie against old club Tottenham Hotspur.
Sigurdsson spoke exclusively to Everton’s matchday programme for Saturday’s meeting with Newcastle United.
And in a wide-ranging feature interview, where he revealed his pride at captaining the Club on multiple occasions, Sigurdsson explained why Everton’s form and results and his own contributions as a ‘number 10’ are adding up to personal contentment.
“Personally, I am very happy – probably the happiest I’ve been at Everton – and, hopefully, we can continue building on the past few months,” said Sigurdsson.
“There is a lot of excitement around the team, we are all pleased with what we are doing.
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“Even when we don’t play well, we are managing to get results, which is a very positive thing.
“I am just very comfortable with the [number 10] position, it suits me physically, running wise.
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“I have always been more of an attacking player than one who sits back and starts attacks.
“Players like James Rodriguez and Andre Gomes are attack minded and can see a pass, they are very good technically and can play through lines.
“When you have those kinds of players, your thought when they have possession is to time your movement to be ready to receive the ball between the opposition midfielders and defensive players.
“They have the quality to make the pass, so you will get more of the ball and have more opportunities to influence attacks.”
Sigurdsson jump-started Everton’s season with the penalty which downed Chelsea on 12 December.
He delivered the decisive strike again a fortnight later as Everton defeated Sheffield United, an effort rewarded with the Club's December Goal-of-the-Month prize.
Those victories sandwiched wins over Leicester and Arsenal and this month there was a success at Wolverhampton Wanderers where Sigurdsson played as a deep-lying centre-forward.
He completed 90 minutes on Sunday, too, as Everton progressed beyond Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup.
Sigurdsson was skipper for each of Everton’s past five Premier League wins.
“I am very proud of captaining Everton,” said Sigurdsson.
“It is a really fantastic club with a lot of history, a top Premier League club.
“A lot of great players have played here – and we have a lot of quality players now.
“I don’t speak the most in the dressing room but I talk on the pitch.
“I work hard every day and do my best.
“I am serious about my job and I give everything and try to lead by example.”
Read the full, extensive interview with Gylfi Sigurdsson in Everton’s matchday programme for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Newcastle United.
The latest exclusive-filled issue includes a feature piece with Gavin McCann, the former Everton midfielder.
McCann explains why he rejected childhood favourites Manchester United to sign for Everton – and the reasons behind his decision to leave Goodison Park.
The 43-year-old offers his fascinating take on a one-cap England career, reflects on being forced to give up the game early and details why he chose to avoid the spotlight while playing for Sunderland, Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers.
There is a wealth of news from Everton Women as Willie Kirk's team prepare to host Manchester United following the high-profile acquisitions of England star Jill Scott and Alisha Lehmann, the gifted 22-year-old Swiss international forward.
We have fresh content from Everton’s Under-23 and Under-18 teams, too.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti and Seamus Coleman, Everton’s captain, write their respective notes to supporters as the Blues get set for a third home game in seven days.
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