It may be a sad indictment on the state of modern football that a player doing what he is contracted to do, and not sulking that he can't do it somewhere else, is held in such regard.
But regrettably professionalism is no longer a given.
Yet the way in which
Idrissa Gueye handled the disappointment of not securing his 'dream' move to Paris Saint Germain in January was worthy of praise.
Not just because his attitude and reaction was everything you would hope from such a fully committed character but because Gueye went onto give the best we've ever seen of him - and for that he deserves credit.
He wasn't just carrying on doing his job, he was actually doing it better than before.
Gueye may have an appetite for destruction on the pitch but the midfield dynamo is no trouble maker and the same would be expected if
Everton choose to reject bids from PSG again the coming weeks.
Gueye is still holding onto that 'dream' of playing for the French champions and doing his thing in the Champions League yet he remains tied to the Blues until June 2022.
Marco Silva plans to sit down with the 29-year-old and remind him of his importance to the team and try to convince him to ignore PSG and stay at Goodison.
Undeniably, the wind feels as though it is blowing this situation towards the French capital.
But, in speaking to the ECHO this week, the Everton manager revealed the true deciding factor in this story – money.
Or as Silva put it, “let's see what the market will say”.
Knocking back underwhelming offers from the French club in January was the “right decision” but it may not be now.
Ultimately, what Everton will have to consider is if PSG are willing to meet their valuation of Gueye.
If they are then do the club have the time to reinvest the money? Is the right replacement out there, at the right price? And all with selling clubs aware of what the Blues had just pocketed for the midfielder and how much of a void he will leave.
The discussion for Marcel Brands and the board will be doing what is best for the club at a time of much needed cost control yet also at a time Silva needs to be armed with the best squad possible.
As has been talked about for some time now, this is the perfect example of where Everton's business meets their immediate ambition.
It's the real struggle of the summer.
Striking that balance is not easy, it has been miscalculated in the recent past and remains the factor in this window that will be keeping the director of football at Finch Farm until the small hours and on the phone constantly.
Of course, if PSG aren't willing to meet the asking price then no problem, as everyone would be thrilled to see the tackling tornado, one of the best in his position in the division, stay and be part of an improving, hungry squad.
And he is, don't forget, no ordinary player who will turning 30 in two months' time.
Usually, clubs would see the sense in cashing in on someone whose best days are, more likely than not, going to be behind them soon enough, but Gueye appears to be bucking the trend, he seems to be improving with time.
So, what to do?
Let's see how serious PSG are and if they are willing to put their money where their mouth is.
At that point, the ball is in Everton's court and the decision the club make will be fascinating.
