When Everton signed Abdoulaye Doucoure from Watford for around £20 million, they got themselves a box-to-box midfielder who could thrive at the Merseyside for years to come with his dynamic style of play.
A midfielder known for all-round prowess, Doucouré had scored 17 goals and assisted a further 11 during his 4 years at Watford, playing 129 games out of which he started 121 of those. So when Everton acquired his services in the summer of 2020, it seemed to have been a no brainer as Everton wanted to strengthen their midfield.
Another purchase in that summer was that of Allan who has started all 4 games this season in midfield with Doucouré. The duo seems to be a perfect partnership, be it in any formation, whether it is a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2 or even a 3-4-3 that Rafa Benítez implemented against Burnley yesterday. The double pivot of Allan and Doucouré is something that has remained consistent in the Everton lineup week in, week out.
Last season wasn’t an ideal one for Doucouré as he suffered from fitness issues and a lack of consistency. He appeared in 29 matches playing a total of 2,443 minutes, the last time he played fewer than 3,000 minutes in a Premier League season was back in the 2016-17 season, his first year at Watford. Despite his debut season not being the one that everyone had hoped for, he had 5 goal contributions to his name with two goals and three assists.
Rejuvenated Abdoulaye Doucoure bossing the midfield role for Everton
This may be the season that Doucouré features regularly and shows what he is capable of. Since the start of the 2021-22 campaign, he has one goal and three assists to his name already with a stellar performance yesterday against a very physical Burnley side that ended in a 3-1 win for Everton, where he provided the assists for Andros Townsend who scored an absolute screamer and for Demarai Gray who has been the bargain of the summer at just £1.7 million. Doucouré has been the key in unlocking the attack from midfield.
So far, Doucouré has completed 80% of his dribbles per 90 along with that he makes 2.75 tackles + interceptions per 90 and has a passing accuracy of 82.6% per 90 in the 4 games that he has played for Everton this season. (stats via FBref)
If Doucouré can bring these kinds of performances, that he did against Burnley yesterday on a regular basis, then Everton wouldn’t have to worry about their midfield as they have a capable individual in Doucouré who can boss the midfield every gameweek for the Toffees.
Everton are currently 4th in the Premier League with 10 points. The Merseyside outfit are looking more consistent than last season but it is still too early for predictions given how cruel the Premier League can be as the season goes on.
How influential will Abdoulaye Doucoure be this season for the Toffees?