An eager Everton takes aim at their managers’ old club for a boost in midfield.
Everton has had a solid season under Marco Silva. They sit in sixth place in the Premier League and they have started to form a strong identity in the attack.
With Richarlison leading the line and players like Bernard and Theo Walcott supporting on the wings, Everton is a dangerous team going forward. Their defence has been quite solid despite all the injuries as well, but Silva and the club want to improve even more.
This is why Everton is reportedly going after Watford’s defensive midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure. Silva had the privilege of utilizing Doucoure during his time with the Hornets, so it is no surprise he wants him at Merseyside.
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Doucoure is quite an incredible player for Watford. He has played every single minute of league football this season, tied only with goalkeeper Ben Foster in minutes. He also leads Watford with four assists, showing off his increasing creativity.
Averaging just over two tackles a match as well, Doucoure plays as one of two holding midfielders in a 4222 system at Watford. Should he transfer to Everton, his transition would be seamless, as he would play next to either Idrissa Gueye or Andre Gomes in the midfield, should the latter sign with the club after his loan spell.
One huge problem with this deal going through is the price that Watford will demand for a player of Doucoure’s quality. The market has died down a bit since the days of the Pogba transfer fee’s, but Doucoure will not be cheap.
Being just 25 years old and an established Premier League player, Doucoure could easily go for upwards of £30 million. Everton has spent a ton of money in the past few transfer windows, and if they want to land Doucoure, they will need to continue that trend.
This is not a move that, even if it does go through, would take place in January. Watford needs to at least finish out the season with the talented Frenchman and attempt to keep him at the club at all costs.
Should Everton be willing to spend, though, then a sale would be quite beneficial to all parties involved. Doucoure could bring a lot of needed cover to Everton’s midfield while filling the pockets of Watford to fund future club development.
Do you think Everton should go all out for Doucoure?