The burning question is how do you replace such a powerful player?
Everton lacks a reliable and impactful backup to Doucoure. There’s hardly anyone in the current squad who can match the intensity and work rate of Doucoure. Positionally, Jean-Philippe Gbamin may come closest to filling in.
Sadly, Gbamin has had injury issues of his own and has been inconsistent in terms of playing time. The Ivorian is still not up to speed and his previous track record always sends cautious signals over his fitness.
Tom Davies, Fabian Delph and Andre Gomes aren’t equipped to provide the required level of energy and tenacity. Delph and Gomes’ fitness levels have been the talking point of the town. None of them can be described as box-to-box midfielders. Doucoure’s springboard to stardom at Everton can hardly be repeated by any of his colleagues.
Everton does have another in-house solution. Perhaps, maybe not an immediate fix but a like for like solution that could establish a foundation for years. Onyango is tailor made for the role that is currently being carried out by Doucoure in the senior team.