BBC Sport pundit shares ‘difficult’ Abdoulaye Doucoure verdict as January Everton exit mooted
Stephen Warnock has admitted that Everton need to get Abdoulaye Doucoure fit and available if they want to save themselves after a “difficult” start to the season.
Sean Dyche’s side crashed out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 defeat to Luton Town on Saturday (27 January) with the Mali midfielder remaining sidelined through injury while rumours continue to circulate over his future at Goodison.
Everton and Doucoure have reportedly been approached by Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq this month [Fabrizio Romano, 20 January], but BBC Sport pundit Warnock believes that the 31-year-old always makes the Toffees a better side.
Speaking on Match of the Day (27 January, 46:20) he said: “They are having a very difficult season with everything that’s going on off the pitch as well. I think Sean Dyche would have liked a home victory today, a good FA Cup run, but they need to get players back.
“Doucoure’s the big one for me. When Everton have Doucoure in the team, they’re a better team and better at getting players in the box. They’ve got somebody who can carry that ball. They miss any gile and creativity without him.”
Need him to stay
Everton and Dyche aren’t blessed with too many players who can turn a game on its head on their own, but one player who is capable of doing exactly that is Doucoure.
The 31-year-old has repeatedly stepped up for the Toffees when they have needed him the most, scoring some hugely important goals and picking up some magical assists that have been crucial in dodging relegation the last few years.
While getting Doucoure fit and available once again is hugely important, keeping him at Goodison Park for the remainder of the season could be just as crucial, especially as links with the Saudi Pro League continue to rumble on.
Hopefully, the 31-year-old won’t go anywhere between now and the end of the window, otherwise, it could be an incredibly tough second half of the season for Dyche and his team.
In other Everton news, The Esk has shared an update on the threat of administration at Goodison Park
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