By Matthew Shaw

19th Dec, 2022 | 12:10pm

January exit may be only option for Abdoulaye Doucoure at Everton

By Daniel Hepburn.

Abdoulaye Doucoure has found himself falling down the pecking order of midfielders at Everton, with a January exit now possible, according to the Liverpool Echo.

The former mainstay in the heart of this Toffees’ side may be part of the exodus from Merseyside we see from Frank Lampard and Everton this winter transfer window.

It is reported that with Doucoure on the outside looking in, he may have no option but to move on rather than looking for a contract extension at the end of this season.

Options.

Everton scoured the market in the summer to bolster their squad and enhance their chances of success in the Premier League. They managed to sign Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye, and while Onana has shone, Gueye has struggled to find his feet.

A revitalised Alex Iwobi has become one of the first names on the team sheet for Lampard, and his fine run of form continues, he’s there to stay.

Tom Davies finds himself in a similar situation to Doucoure but edges the competition by being a homegrown talent and having more years left to give. Everton are not short of midfield options, but Doucoure merely seems to be an outsider looking in.

With his contract expiring at the end of summer, it may be best for both parties to go their separate ways. The Mali national has lacked regular game time for Everton and will struggle to find his way back to being a starter.

Doucoure has featured seven times this campaign, with five of them having come off the bench to make an impact. With the arrival of ample midfield options and midfield relationships flourishing on the pitch, the irregularity of Doucoure’s involvement will be a problem.

With age and injuries not on his side, the club should cash in on his services.