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Everton back in for Doucoure

By Matt Townsend

Abdoulaye Doucoure of Watford FC during the Pre-season Friendly match between Ajax and Watford FC at Saalfelden Arena on July 18, 2019 in Saalfelden, Austria(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Abdoulaye Doucoure of Watford FC during the Pre-season Friendly match between Ajax and Watford FC at Saalfelden Arena on July 18, 2019 in Saalfelden, Austria(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /
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Once again fresh transfer rumours today include a story that Everton are going back for the Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure as they urgently seek to improve their quality in the centre of the park.

Doucoure is a player that Everton have long been interested in. Marco Silva tried to bring him in last summer just before the transfer window deadline but couldn’t get the deal over the line.

Once this summer’s window opened, the Watford midfielders’ name re-emerged as a target for the Toffees following the Hornets’ relegation.

Now the Daily Mail are saying the Blues have been back in touch again with Watford and are very keen to bring the 27-year-old Frenchman to Goodison Park ready for the new season.

We’ve already looked at the Watford player in detail and agreed that he would be a sound investment. Doucoure is a rangy, powerful midfielder who gets up and down, can support defensively and also contributes goals and assists.

The French midfielder is one of those players who is perhaps slightly under the radar, and has the ability to be very effective in a better team.

He’s didn’t have a brilliant campaign last season playing for a struggling Hornets side, but there’s enough evidence over the past few seasons, to suggest he could be a good investment and would strengthen Everton’s midfield options considerably.

His best position seems to be operating in a slightly more advanced attacking central midfield role, where he can directly support the forwards.

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I think that Doucoure would dovetail well with Allan, assuming the Blues can also bring in the Brazilian enforcer in a new central midfield partnership. If Ancelotti is indeed keen on Doucoure, then I assume that’s the sort of idea he has too.

He could also operate in a midfield three if the manager wants to play a 4-3-3 formation, alongside Allan and perhaps either Andre Gomes or Jean-Phlippe Gbamin, if he’s healthy at last!

It’s very probable that Doucoure will be interested in a move away from Vicarage Road. Signing for Everton would keep him playing in the Premier League so a deal could well be possible.

But at the moment it’s still just more unsubstantiated rumours and stories linking the Toffees with moves for players while we continue to wait for any concrete announcements.

As we’ve said many times before,  it’s essential that the Blues can get their business done as soon as possible with just three weeks now until the new Premier League season gets underway.

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