Sean Dyche confirms Deadline Day update at Everton on Mason Holgate to Sheffield United and Abdoulaye Doucoure future
Sean Dyche has confirmed that Everton defender Mason Holgate is on the way to join Sheffield United on Deadline Day.
The Toffees boss said on 1 February, via Sky Sports’ Ben Grounds on the outlet’s transfer live-blog (2.03pm) he expects the 27-year-old to end his loan with Southampton to head to the Blades for the rest of the season.
However he has ruled out a departure for key attacking midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré in the face of reported interest from Saudi Arabia.
On Holgate he said: “It’s looking like that one will go through, it’s a deal that suits us and Sheffield United.”
But regarding Doucouré he added: “Doucoure wanted to stay despite Saudi interest – that was never anything serious and he’s focused on getting himself fit and ready to play.
“Keeping the squad together this month was important. We didn’t want to lose any players who are a key part of the first team group.”
Important
Holgate’s switch makes sense if Chris Wilder wants him and is set to give him more game time than he has been getting under Russell Martin at the Saints.
The whole point of his loan departure was to get football but he has struggled to do so at St. Mary’s, with just five Championship appearances and none since early November.
Far more important to the immediate fortunes back at Goodison Park is to keep hold of Doucouré since his recent injury issues have shown beyond doubt his importance to Dyche’s set up.
That Doucouré is committed to the Toffees despite interest is clearly a positive for the manager, under whom the 31-year-old has thrived after being frozen out under Frank Lampard.
Without his 11 Premier League goals under Dyche Everton would likely have been relegated last season and would be far worse off this term.
In other Everton news, Alan Myers has predicted a potential new arrival at Goodison Park before the window shuts.
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