Greg O’Keeffe has been speaking on the All Together Now podcast about a possible return to the Everton first team for Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Everton posted that Doucoure was back in training ahead of this weekend’s clash against champions Manchester City, and it’s clear that Frank Lampard could do with him back in the team, as they’ve won five league games with the French midfielder this season, while without him, they’ve won just once in the league.
Will Lampard bring success to Everton?
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Doucoure has missed seven games, and considering the Toffees could find themselves in the bottom three by the time they kick off at 5.30pm on Saturday, they desperately need one of their best midfielders back fit and ready to go.
O’Keeffe is hoping that Doucoure isn’t just fit, but is match-fit and ready to go this weekend.
He said: “Obviously, as we identified, Doucoure’s return – massive. You’ve just got to hope that he’s ready to play. Especially the intensity of playing, coming straight back and then playing against a team like City, who stretch you so much.”
TIF Thoughts on Abdoulaye Doucoure…
Despite having missed seven games this term, Doucoure has still recorded the second-most goal contributions for Everton this season with two goals and four assists, which is more of a point towards how poor Everton have been than the Frenchman’s fine performances, although his 6.88 WhoScored rating in the league suggests he’s been performing OK.
If Doucoure is match-fit, then he surely goes straight into the starting lineup alongside January signing Donny van de Beek, who impressed on his home debut last time out at Goodison Park, registering the most completed passes as well as the most progressive passes as he looked to get the Toffees moving and advanced up the pitch, which may be required if they are to catch City on the counter-attack.
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