Abdoulaye Doucoure hints at Everton exit despite new contract clause
Abdoulaye Doucoure has cast doubt on his Everton future, by revealing that his is unsure if he wants to stay at the club.
The midfielder was sensational in the Toffees’ stunning 5-1 win at Brighton on Monday, in which he scored a double, in a rich vein of form under Sean Dyche.
Everton have an option to extend his contract for a further year, but all of that and more will depend on staying in the Premier League.
Having returned to the team recently after he was out of favour under Frank Lampard, it is surprising to an extent, to hear the comments from Doucoure regarding a potential departure from Goodison, as featured in the Daily Mail [Page 65, 10 May].
“The club knows my position since a year ago. Now it is becoming very difficult for us to find something well between us, to find an agreement,” he said.
“I’m focused on keeping Everton up and then everything else will come after. To be honest, I don’t know (if I want to stay). I can’t say now, I don’t know.
“I have done my job, so now it is up to the club to say what they want from me.”
Not the right time
The Mali international has flourished under Dyche, so to hear him speak of a possible transfer away from the club will be disappointing for many Evertonians, as well as the claims of having done his job.
As good as Monday night was at the Amex Stadium, the job is far from complete. Three games remain in order for the club’s top-flight status to be secured and that should be the only aim right now.
At the end of the season, as expected, futures will be discussed and decided, based on what division the club will be playing in and the relevant budgets for the next campaign.
Dyche will relish putting his own stamp on the squad and as the club has its clause in Doucoure’s deal, he will need to settle for another year on Merseyside unless a transfer is sanctioned on its terms.
This is not the right time to be focussed on what happens next, for Everton. All that matters is the here and now, to stay in the Premier League.