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.
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.
What can Tyler Onyango offer to Everton?
Tyler Onyango fits the profile that Everton need
Onyango fits the box-to-box mould. For his age, he’s quite physically strong even though the first impressions looking at him may seem that he’s slender. At 18, he’s yet to reach the peak of his physical condition and can still grow in muscle and mass.
The 18 year old was handed his first team debut by Carlo Ancelotti in the FA Cup against Sheffield Wednesday and the starlet immediately caught the eye. Eyes sparkled with a gleam as the Everton academy product impressed in a small cameo.
Soon the microscopic eyes dissected his style, strengths and weaknesses as he continued to be the engine for the U-23 side. Misfortune struck Onyango as he suffered a ligament injury and ankle fracture, forcing him to undergo surgery in April.
The midfielder has recently returned to action for David Unsworth’s side. He is yet to reach full fitness as he often seems to run out of gas after the 60-70 minute mark but Unsworth is confident that Onyango will reach his peak fitness level in no time.
He has the necessary armoury in his tank to succeed at the highest level. Onyango has been part of several first team training sessions, especially after Doucoure’s injury. Onyango’s return couldn’t have been timed better.
With the former Watford man out at least until the end of the international break, Onyango could have a shot at first team opportunity in the upcoming games. However, Rafa Benitez has iterated that he won’t fast track Onyango into the first team.
Perhaps, expecting the 18 year old to play the entire 90 minutes at first team level seems far fetched, but little cameos in the upcoming weeks will help Benitez test Onyango in the Premier League circus and evaluate whether he can slot into Doucoure’s shoes for a short time frame.
Tyler is a bundle of energy and athleticism, offering endless running and a respectable degree of physical presence. On top of that, he’s skilful, a salient reader of the game and moves with aplomb in possession. The young Englishman thrusts up and down the field tirelessly, almost as if functioning with an extra lung.
Doucoure’s damaging injury has paved a golden opportunity for Everton to test out Onyango on the elite level, aiding his development in the process. If the cards are played right and things turn out in Everton’s favour, the Toffees could have an in-house enigmatic backup to Doucoure in Onyango.
Will Tyler Onyango get a chance in Abdoulaye Doucoure’s absence?