Mali’s Doucoure could be key in Merseyside derby
Abdoulaye Doucoure has seen a stunning rebirth of his career at Everton in recent months and will be a key man for them ahead of Saturday’s Merseyside Derby at Anfield, where The Toffees will hope to continue their recent improved form when they meet bitter rivals Liverpool.
The Mali international midfielder had looked to be on his way out of Goodison Park before the arrival of manager Sean Dyche, but has now become a central figure for Everton at both ends of the pitch.
He is a typical box-to-box midfielder, doing his defensive work before sprinting up the pitch to join the attack, with a superb ‘engine’ that keeps running for the full 90 minutes.
It was his goal against Bournemouth on the final day of last season that kept Everton in the Premier League, and in all he has scored eight since his return to the team in March.
That includes a strike against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a 2-2 draw, a brace in Everton’s stunning 5-1 win at Brighton & Hove Albion in May, and three goals in this campaign, including the 3-0 home success against Bournemouth last time out.
For a player that had been sent to train with the reserves by former manager Frank Lampard, it is a spectacular reversal in fortunes.
“It’s been a fresh start for me. Everyone knows what happened, obviously I was not very happy to not play,” Doucoure told BBC. “To be honest, I did not really understand what had happened between me and him (Lampard). Last season when he came, I was playing every game and I think I showed everyone what I’m capable of.
“We stayed up (at the end of 2021/22) and we had a great relationship at that time. Sometimes it happens and I’ve just got to be calm, to train well and to just wait for my chance and it happened with Sean Dyche.”
READ ALSO: Akwa United move NPFL home games to Eket Stadium
Doucoure’s Everton contract was due to expire at the end of last season, but he signed a one-year extension for this new campaign.
“When he (Dyche) came, I think it was a fresh start for everyone. Everyone was happy, he made some new rules and did some new tricks as well,” the 30-year-old said.
“Everyone was happy and the main change was that we started winning games. This is all that matters, no one can complain about that, we are all very happy for him to be here.
“I think I’ve played my best football in my career with him, so I’m very grateful to him for letting me play and giving me freedom on the pitch, and I need to give something back.”
Everton will go into Saturday’s Merseyside derby as underdogs, but wins in their last two away games at Brentford (3-1) and Aston Villa (2-1) have been impressive, as was the home demolition of Bournemouth.
Doucoure also has a happy knack of scoring goals away from home, and would love to poach one at Anfield.
“During my career, I’ve always scored a lot of goals away from home,” he said. “Obviously, I want to score more goals at Goodison Park, but away from home, I have, maybe, more freedom. I have this bug sometimes to be in the right position and to score goals.”