Abdoulaye Doucoure has been irreplacable in the Everton lineup
When you see a six feet plus lanky midfielder, showing off his afro hairstyle in an Everton jersey, you will be reminded of Marouane Fellaini. But, there is a Fellaini clone who is thriving for the youth teams – Tyler Onyango.
The promising teenager is yet to make a start for Everton and is not an academy product name regularly popping up in Rafa Benitez’s matchday squads, but the stars have aligned in Onyango’s favour that could see him get his big break.
The stress fracture to Abdoulaye Doucoure sustained in the West Ham game meant that Everton’s worst nightmare got even more dreadful as one of the best players of the season is ruled out for at least four weeks. Undoubtedly, Doucoure has been quintessential for the Toffees, even more so, under Rafa Benitez.
For the stat inhalers, the Frenchman has already equalled his last season goal contribution tally of six (three goals and three assists) in just nine games this term. In fact, he leads the assist table at Everton with four assists in the Premier League so far.
Under Benitez, Doucoure has ticked the typical box-to-box midfielder profile. Under Carlo Ancelotti, he never enjoyed the endless attacking freedom because he had to run the defensive errands on the right side, essentially babysitting James Rodriguez. With Rodriguez no longer in the side, Doucoure has unleashed his attacking fervour while showcasing his combative attitude in the middle of the park.