According to Mirror, Tottenham Hotspur have stepped up their pursuit of £35m-rated Abdoulaye Doucoure. The Watford midfielder has been identified as an ideal replacement for Victor Wanyama, who has struggled with frequent injuries since moving from Southampton a couple of years ago.
A few other clubs have also shown a keen interest in the services of Doucoure, who could leave the club in the upcoming January transfer window. But is he really an ideal target for Spurs?
Abdoulaye Doucoure: Player profile and stats
Abdoulaye Doucoure is highly regarded as one of the most energetic midfielders in the Premier League, largely thanks to an incredible campaign with Watford last season that saw him score seven goals. Although the Frenchman has failed to hit the heights of last campaign in terms of goals thus far, he still remains a vital figure in the Watford setup.
Doucoure’s excellent work-rate and incredible energy make him an attack-minded version of N’Golo Kante, who can run tirelessly over the course of the game. However, it’s his marauding runs into the opposing defence, which often causes a lot of trouble for the opposition.
In just 11 games this season, Doucoure has attempted 32 tackles with an average of 2.9 tackles per game. In addition, he has also notched up an average of over 1 interception, 1 clearance along with 16 key passes, which is only bettered by Jose Holebas in the squad.
Therefore, not only is Doucoure a sharp tackler in the middle of the park but a sparkplug, who isn’t shy to get forward and create chances for his team as his 4 assists show, making him one of the most sought-after midfielders in the Premier League.
Why Spurs should go for Doucoure
Abdoulaye Doucoure would be a fantastic addition to Spurs, who are in dire need of reinforcements in their midfield department. Eric Dier and Victor Wanyama are the only two recognized options in holding midfield with the latter struggling with injuries while Dier’s performances haven’t been that convincing either.
While Doucoure is unlikely to be deployed as an out and out holding midfielder, his defensive prowess coupled with his creativity will certainly help the balance of the team, which has been way too reliant on the services of Christian Eriksen to make things happen.
He could also turn out to be an excellent alternative to Mousa Dembele, who is another key component of the Spurs midfield but has an uncertain future with the club.
Thus, the addition of Doucoure will serve as a breath of fresh air for Pochettino, on whom the pressure has been gradually mounting in terms of converting their positive league finishes into something substantial.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
