Michael Ball impressed by Abdoulaye Doucoure’s Everton career
Everton were in their element against Manchester United on Saturday, with Abdoulaye Doucoure playing a key role in the 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
The French midfielder, 28, assisted Andros Townsend’s late equaliser, but he did more than that as he and Allan combined to bully Red Devils duo Fred and Scott McTominay in the middle of the park.
Doucoure has been one of the best and most influential players at Goodison Park since joining Everton from Watford last summer.
He missed nine league games last term, and the Toffees could only win two of them.
Before he got injured towards the end of the campaign, they had won three consecutive games, including a first over Liverpool at Anfield since 1999, and Michael Ball has been thrilled by the impact he has had since joining the Blues.
“He was our key player last year,” the former Toffees star told Football Transfer Tavern.
“If Doucoure was missing, we struggled. He’s got everything you want from a midfielder.
“He’s got energy, he likes closing down, he likes cutting up the play.”
Most influential?
Everton have been without Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison for a while now in attack, and while they indeed miss the duo, Rafa Benitez has found a way to get by without them.
The likes of Townsend, Demarai Gray and even Doucoure have stepped up in their absences, while Ben Godfrey has done well at right-back in the absence of Seamus Coleman.
Should Doucoure go missing, the Toffees will struggle to win games given his importance in the box-to-box role.
Allan has been impressive, but the Brazilian has to play alongside his French counterpart for things to tick in the middle for Everton.
Rafa Benitez will be hoping Doucoure can stay fit all season, and given his injury record, he hardly misses games,
If the Blues are to finish in the top-six, they need the player at the top of his game, and with his massive impact in midfield and both ends of the pitch so far, they could be on course to qualify for Europe.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are in hunt for new coach after exit left void in key behind-the-scenes area.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on Everton and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.