One thing that Football managers haven’t had absolute control over in the game is player injuries. An injury before the cup final, a long term injury to a key player during a title defence, relegation battle or even during the charge for European football is a player’s and manager’s worst nightmare.
Everton have had sheer bad luck with injuries this season which is unarguably one of the most important seasons in recent times as the club are closer than ever to achieving the dream of European football.
Lucas Digne, James Rodriguez, Allan have spent significant time on the sidelines due to injuries whereas Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Seamus Coleman, Jordan Pickford, Tom Davies have had minor injuries and niggles that forced them out of the team for a small period.
Abdoulaye Doucoure enjoyed an injury free spell in his first season at Merseyside until the Toffees were handed another blow as the Frenchman was substituted in the game against West Brom as he was limping on the field. He wasn’t included in the squad to face Chelsea as rumours flew around of him breaking his foot. Carlo Ancelotti provided some update post the Chelsea loss, stating that the midfielder will miss some games.
The loss of Doucoure is monumental and more significant than Allan when he had a hamstring problem earlier the season. Allan’s absence was filled in by Tom Davies who evolved from his turbulent start and earned the nickname of Scouse Pirlo. In Davies, Everton had a like for like replacement in the No.6 role but replacing Doucoure is an uphill task.
Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure will be out for 8 to 10 weeks
The Frenchman comes with a specific set of credentials that very few players can match. His energy, combative nature and typical box-to-box-character give the Everton midfield a unique dimension.
In what is now the most important part of the season, as Everton prepare to battle a number of teams contesting a top four finish, Ancelotti will have to make do without the Frenchman for most part of the remaining campaign. In the press conference ahead of the Burnley game, the Italian manager revealed Doucoure’s injury and when can they expect him back.
"“Doucoure had a small fracture on his foot so he has to stay out. It could be 8 weeks, could be 10 weeks. I hope he can recover before the end of the season. We are not happy for this. An important player for us but we are not the only club who has to manage injuries”. (via Everton press conference on the Youtube Channel)"
The injury to Abdoulaye Doucoure poses a threat to hamper Everton’s momentum and may even hurt their pursuit of European Football but the trust in Ancelotti remains unquestioned that the former Real Madrid manager will find a way to lineup his team without Doucoure and minimize his absence on the field.