Former Premier League player Carlton Palmer thinks that Rafa Benitez may have to delve into the transfer market in January if Abdoulaye Doucoure isn’t back from injury by then.
Doucoure sustained a foot injury in the club’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham with the club’s official website reporting that he suffered a stress response in a bone in his foot.
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Palmer thinks that should Doucoure not be back in January, Everton manager Rafa Benitez might have to delve into the transfer market, telling TIF: “I suppose Rafa’s got to assess it, see how bad he is, see how long he’s going to be out for and see whether he needs to go into the transfer market in January.
“He’s been very important and very instrumental for them this season and it just depends, you’ve three months until the transfer window. If he’s back before that and he’s okay then fine. If not, then I think Rafa may well have to delve into the transfer market.”
Journalist Fabrizio Romano provided some positive news though for Everton and their supporters, as he posted on his Twitter account: “Abdoulaye Doucoure injury update. Everton midfielder will be back earlier than expected: he’s preparing his comeback in four/four and half weeks, after the international break.”
Doucoure has featured in nine matches for Everton so far this season, playing as both a central midfielder and dropping slightly deeper into a defensive midfield role, and has been in terrific form as he has scored two goals and provided four assists for the Toffees.
With his four assists, Doucoure lead Everton’s Premier League assist charts and has also made the most number of passes for his team with 343, so Benitez will be desperate for there not to be any kind of setback.