Everton to be without Abdoulaye Doucouré after midfielder picks up serious injury
Doucouré confirmed to be out for the long-term
Everton boss Rafa Benítez is set to lose key central midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré for a long spell after the Frenchman is confirmed to have suffered a broken foot in the Toffees 1-0 loss at home to West Ham at the weekend.
The Times’ Northern Football correspondent Paul Joyce tweeted today that Everton are concerned about Doucouré missing considerable time with a lengthy period on the treatment table, with The Guardian also mentioning the massive set back amongst other outlets.
Everton concerned Abdoulaye Doucoure is facing lengthy time out with broken foot .
— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) October 19, 2021
Benítez’s squad has been hit hard with one set back after another this season, with central pair André Gomes and Fabian Delph also missing considerable time through injury and have yet to return to active duty.
The same can be said for the Everton forward line as well in the early doors of the 2021-22 campaign, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison also failing to feature enough for the Toffees, who currently sit level with Manchester United and West Ham in 6th on 14-points.
Everton now without their most influential midfielder
There is no question that Everton’s most influential figure this season has been Abdoulaye Doucouré.
The Stade Rennais youth academy graduate and former Watford standout has had an immense role in Rafa Benítez’s side thus far in 2021-22, bagging 2-goals and adding 4-assists in the process.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 17: Pablo Fornals of West Ham United battles for possession with Abdoulaye Doucoure of Everton during the Premier League match between Everton and West Ham United at Goodison Park on October 17, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Doucouré’s ability to generate attacking passages of play has been one of the lynchpin’s in Everton’s ability to score goals, even if Richarlison has not hit the ground running this season.
Abdoulaye Doucouré has been involved in more attacking open play passing sequences than any other Everton player in the Premier League this season.
A big player in Rafa Benítez’s Toffees’ side. #EFC pic.twitter.com/vuJ10FPDaK
— The Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) October 19, 2021
Moreover, his twenty completed tackles and nine interceptions have meant that his presence outside of possession has been expectedly key as well, while his offensive output can be deemed an unexpected surprise given he has already equalled his goal total of last season and surpassed the number of assists in 2020-21.
Even if central pair André Gomes and Fabian Delph return to fitness soon, it is unlikely the midfield duo can replicate the same level of consistency snd influence in the Everton midfield as Doucouré has and the Toffees could well lose considerable momentum in their push for the European places.
