New signings Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure have instantly hit the ground running.
Midfielders:
Allan
Appearances – 4
Starts – 4
Minutes played – 339
Goals/Assists – 0/0
Rating – 8.5
Allan has arguably been the most important signing of the summer. Finally, Everton have an able Idrissa Gueye replacement who has offered the defensive solidity that the club has lacked throughout the last season.
The Brazilian has made 19 tackles, testifying his commitment in guarding the back four. Keane was spot on when he said that Allan is a defender’s best friend. Allan has maintained a constant high level of performances irrespective of the opposition and their style.
Abdoulaye Doucoure
Appearances – 4
Starts – 3
Minutes played – 266
Goals/Assists – 0/0
Rating – 8
Abdoulaye Doucoure has uplifted the mood in the Everton engine room. The Frenchman has added a whole new dimension to the midfield bringing the typical box-to-box character along with steel, power and energy.
Doucoure himself has admitted that he hasn’t reached the best yet and is striving towards unlocking his best self in an Everton shirt. From what we have witnessed so far, this is a frightening assertion for the opponents.
https://twitter.com/Everton/status/1310157235604074500
Andre Gomes
Appearances – 3
Starts – 3
Minutes played – 234
Goals/Assists – 0/0
Rating – 7.5
Andre Gomes looks a different player all together with better players around him. The likes of Allan and Doucoure have allowed Gomes to play in his natural role and venture up the pitch and be more productive in the final third.
His technical brilliance is best suited up the pitch and now that he has the license to roam ahead, we are seeing the best of Gomes in an Everton shirt. He could still do better in certain areas but the recurring injuries keep on plaguing his progress.
Gylfi Sigurdsson
Appearances – 6
Starts – 3
Minutes played – 331
Goals/Assists – 1/2
Rating – 7.5
Gylfi Sigurdsson was expected to be relegated to bench after the arrivals of Allan, James Rodriguez and Doucoure. The Iceman even found himself on the bench but has played every game of the season so far making key contributions coming off the bench.
Sometimes, injecting energy in the midfield, sometimes simply helping Everton to see out the game and sometimes coming on to provide leadership in the middle.
The 31 year old started every game of the Carabao Cup and has a total of 3 goal contributions in the month of September, not bad for a player who was being considered an outcast after last season’s slump. The new role seems to suit him well.
Tom Davies
Appearances – 4
Starts – 1
Minutes played – 120
Goals/Assists – 0/0
Rating – 6.5
Had the Brighton game been included in this, Tom Davies would have been a 7.5, he was outstanding in that game. However, the month of September didn’t give Davies many opportunities.
Two league appearances of 1 minute each didn’t allow him to make an impact in any of those games. The two League cup games he played, he looked a better player than last season, so that’s a positive.
Fabian Delph
Appearances – 2
Starts – 2
Minutes played – 152
Goals/Assists – 0/0
Rating – 6.5
Fabian Delph missed the first few games as he was still not completely fit to be included in a matchday squad. His first game was against Fleetwood where he was assuring as a central defensive midfielder and carried out the role faultlessly. He is one of the most experienced guys in the locker room and you’d expect him to be more involved.