Blackburn Rovers: Senegalese forward Makhtar Gueye determined to prove himself 

Blackburn Rovers manager Valerien Ismael has expressed continued faith in Senegalese forward Makhtar Gueye despite the striker’s recent struggles for game time in the Championship.

Gueye, who joined Blackburn with high expectations, has seen his role reduced this season amid increased competition for attacking positions.

The 26-year-old has featured only sporadically, recording just 39 minutes across his last five league appearances.

His limited involvement sparked interest from several Turkish clubs late in the summer transfer window, but no move materialised, leaving him to fight for his place at Ewood Park.

Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, Ismael made it clear that Gueye remains part of his plans but emphasised the need for the forward to prove himself in training.

He’s here and he wanted to be here, the Blackburn boss said. We took our time, evaluated all the possibilities, and in the end, everyone had to be happy. Pape is our player and we’re moving forward.

The Frenchman underlined that competition within the squad is now fierce, with every player required to earn selection through consistent performances.

The adaptation period for new recruits is over, Ismael explained. Now it’s a real battle to be in the starting eleven, and even to be in the squad.

Despite his limited minutes, Gueye has remained professional and committed in training, determined to win back his spot.

His physical presence and aerial ability still make him a valuable option for Rovers, particularly in tight matches where a different attacking approach may be required.

Ismael also spoke about his approach to man-management, stressing the importance of communication and maintaining player morale.

My role is to communicate with the players every week, explain my decisions to them, and make sure they stay focused, he added.

For Gueye, the challenge now is to rediscover the form that earned him his move to the English second tier.

The Senegalese forward will look to use every opportunity — whether as a substitute or starter — to convince his coach that he deserves a larger role in Blackburn’s campaign.

As the season progresses, both player and manager appear aligned in their objective: to turn competition into motivation and keep Blackburn pushing forward. Gueye’s response to this challenge could yet define his future at the club.