Dyche: It Ab to be Dou
EVERTON manager Sean Dyche insists his decision to put midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure at the centre of his tactical plan for the team was a logical one.
When the former Burnley boss arrived just over a year ago the 31-year-old had been exiled by predecessor Frank Lampard after a fall-out.
But the Mali international was brought straight back into the fold and has more than justified that decision.
Doucoure (below) is Everton’s leading scorer with six league goals this season – three more than anyone else – despite a number of injury issues, the latest a hamstring problem which restricted him to one appearance in the last 10 games.
But after returning to training this week he is in contention for an immediate recall at home to Crystal Palace tonight.
Asked about the reasons for his decision to use Doucoure as a roaming midfielder behind centre-forward Dominic Calvert-lewin, Dyche said: “Just his history.
“I knew him for a while from the early days of his career and I felt he had legs and energy, knows the game tactically and does it very well and can score a goal. Just looking at the logical side of it really.
“But you do go on instinct; he’s a player I’ve always liked and I put him straight in the side and he’s delivered. We want him to come back in the side and do well again.”
In Doucoure’s last nine Premier League starts Everton won seven and drew two.
By contrast they have drawn two and lost four of the last six league matches he has missed.
Scoring goals continues to be the biggest issue for Dyche, with just 26 scored in 24 matches.