Everton star Abdoulaye Doucoure impresses Michael Ball
Everton star Abdoulaye Doucoure is growing into a force to be reckoned with under Rafael Benitez, according to Michael Ball.
Writing in his column for the Liverpool Echo, the former Toffees man turned pundit had high praise for the Frenchman who has become a key part of the Spaniard’s team.
The club signed Doucoure last season, but he only scored two goals and provided three assists in the Premier League, but he looks to be a different animal this season.
Ball said: “The big thing for me about the change in the way Abdoulaye Doucoure is playing this season is that it now presents a question to the opposition.
“Whether it be Demarai Gray, Andros Townsend or Doucoure, all three have played a crucial part in Everton’s attacking play this season.
“But in terms of Doucoure, given how well he has started this season, he is now becoming a focal point for the opposition to stop.”
Doucoure continues to impress.
The 28-year-old has scored two goals and provided three assists in the league so far, so he is making a big difference for the Toffees.
Also, it is pretty clear that he and Allan are Benitez’s preferred options in the centre of the park, and it is up to the other midfielders to break in, but we can’t see any of them managing that just yet.
Doucoure was always a force to be reckoned with at Watford, and in the 2017/18 season, he scored seven goals for the Hornets.
Now, if he can replicate that form for the Toffees, then they will be getting some vital goals from midfield, which could help them achieve their aims by the end of the season.
Clearly, Ball is impressed by Doucoure, and once the likes of Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin return then, you would think the Toffees could give any team some problems.
In other Everton news, Michael Ball has made his January transfer prediction.
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