According to Mirror, Everton boss Marco Silva is eyeing a move for Watford star Abdoulaye Doucoure in the upcoming January transfer window.
Silva is keen to reunite with the midfielder with whom he worked during their time together at Watford.
But will Doucoure be of any use to Everton?
Abdoulaye Doucoure: Player profile
A dynamic midfielder who loves to get forward, Doucoure rose to prominence under Silva last season. He scored seven goals and provided one assist in 27 games, ending the season as club’s top scorer.
Although the Frenchman hasn’t been able to hit the heights of last season in the 2018-19 campaign, he still remains a crucial component in Javi Gracia’s midfield setup at Watford.
Indeed, the 25-year-old has played a key role alongside Etienne Capoue in the Watford midfield this season where his all-round qualities have been influential.
In fact, Doucoure has ticked every box so far this campaign, having averaged over one key pass, interception, clearance and almost two dribbles per game, indicating his excellent all-round ability which makes him an appealing target for Everton.
But, what sets Doucoure apart from other midfielders is his incredible stamina and robust style of play.
Although he may not the tallest of midfielders around, the Frenchman is certainly difficult to shrug off the ball while his driving runs from the middle have already caused a lot of problems for the Premier League defences.
Why Everton sign Abdoulaye Doucoure
The midfielder is simply the missing piece of the jigsaw for Everton, who have lacked substance in their midfield department this season. While the experienced Morgan Schneiderlin has failed to impress, James McCarthy’s injury has left Silva helpless.
Doucoure, in that regard, could serve as an ideal option for the Portuguese mastermind. The 25-year-old’s inclusion in the starting lineup will allow Andre Gomes more freedom in the final third.
The 25-year old’s aggression makes him a tailor-made fit for Silva’s tactical setup while his past relationship with the Portuguese manager is bound to help him get used to the setup, making Doucoure arguably the most attractive target in the market for Everton at the moment.
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
