Abdoulaye Doucouré

[Hafnia]

Final note on this:-

OUR MIDFIELD WAS A CROCK OF SHIT AND IS STILL 2 INJURIES AWAY FROM RELEGATION QUALITY.

IF WE WENT AND BOUGHT DECOURE AND A.N OTHER THEN I WOULD BE HAPPY!!!

All very well having James Rodriguez and Richarlison......  About as much use as tits on a bull with the shite we've had to watch get walked through week after week.  Doucoure represents decent value and is proven at this level. No brainer.... Yes he's not Paul scholes or Fran lampard but let's get some perspective

 

 

[StevO]

10 minutes ago, Bailey said:

I'm not sure Scholes defended all that well .

The beauty of those two was that Keane did more of the dirty work but that didn't mean Scholes didn't. He did his fair share as well, its just one was better at it and the other was better technically. Keane was such a simple footballer but IMO that's a great commodity. No real weakness other than his temper. Scholes on the other hand was incredible. 

Haha a few ankles in the premier league agree with you about Scholes. 
Im sure you get my point about them both having it in their game to do both sides, but each had their strength. There was none of this “he’s a holding midfielder and he’s attacking” they just both did what was needed. 
Two incredibly gifted players, who played the game simply. Apart from when Scholes would do some unbelievable pass or volley into the back of the net. 

[Hafnia]

£20m bargain....

[chicagoblue]

6 minutes ago, Hafnia said:

£20m bargain....

Hearing it everywhere now, sounds like a done deal.

[Finn balor]

Alan Myers has confirmed it aswell. Done deal 

[RuffRob]

55 minutes ago, markjazzbassist said:

great so we wasted 25m on gomes and 25m on gbamin, that's 50m on 2 bench players.  this is my point.  seems overkill.  happy to be proved wrong.  

add £45M Gylfi to that!!

Not overkill at all - I see our starting midfield as Allan, Doucoure, Gomes and Rodriguez  - Gbmin not fit yet but will be on bench to start with, but there will be injuries etc so cover will be needed. If any half decent offer comes in for Davies, Delph  or Gylfi - they get them moved one or two of them on. 

[AlbanyNYToffee]

I get where Mark is coming from with position of need, and honestly I've never been impressed watching him either, however if Brands and Carlo want him 25m is a 'bargain'. It would probably be double if Watford stayed up and we wouldn't even be having this conversation. Signing Doucoure doesn't excite me but Brands/Carlo getting another one of their targets in the door at a decent fee does. I look forward to Doucoure proving me wrong! 

[Romey 1878]

29 minutes ago, Hafnia said:

£20m bargain....

I wanted the midfield sorted and was willing to sacrifice sorting any other position, and it looks like our midfield is getting a serious upgrade which makes me extremely happy. 

[Palfy]

2 hours ago, StevO said:

Gana wasn’t a sitting DM

I know he wasn’t he was headless chicken with a ball magnet for a brain, football is so much more than running all round the pitch trying to win the ball, it’s knowing how to mark a man and close down space and hold, not running around aimlessly like you’ve got a couple Duracell shoved up his arse

[StevO]

9 minutes ago, Palfy said:

I know he wasn’t he was headless chicken with a ball magnet for a brain, football is so much more than running all round the pitch trying to win the ball, it’s knowing how to mark a man and close down space and hold, not running around aimlessly like you’ve got a couple Duracell shoved up his arse

You see aimlessly, others see a press that’s being asked by his manager and his tactics. 
You’re going to hate Allan. 

[RuffRob]

reports saying £20M (+£5M bonuses) , £8m upfront and rest as instalments as we have spent the budget on Allan and Rodriguez.

I have to say £20M is a decent price for a well respected Premier proven midfielder - people where going wild for him a couple of seasons ago when he played a more defensive role at Watford. Played slightly further forward the last couple of years. The key is he can play both offensively and defensively, has quality in both departments.  So set up against top teams he can player maybe more defensively, and a bit further forward against teams we should dominate. You can make these adjustments dynamically in a game without making a substitution or changing personnel around. 

Our midfield will instantly become more dynamic with Allan and Doucoure bossing the middle. I am sure the rest of the team will simply just thrive of this - and we will see better performances all round. 

Need to give them all a few month to all bed in, but will be really interesting to see what sort of team we are at the turn of the year.

 

[Palfy]

22 minutes ago, StevO said:

You see aimlessly, others see a press that’s being asked by his manager and his tactics. 
You’re going to hate Allan. 

I hope not, I don’t think I could manage another Gana in the team. 
The thing with a pressing game is you do it as a team not one man running around exposing the space and players behind them. 
It won’t  take Allan long to realise that as a central defender Keane has no pace so will hang back as close to 18 yard box as humanly possible for fear of a ball over the top and a race back, if Ancelotti wants to play a an out and out pressing game he needs to get a lot more pace in the back line.

[RuffRob]

and the BBC is supposed to represent quality - full of factual errors!!! 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54005583

 

[London Blue]

Doucoure is a great buy for us, strong, agile and full of energy and running. Having watched him for Watford he is an all rounder, can tackle, can pass, can press and can drive forward. What he does he does with energy and aggression. Things our midfield have truly lacked.

I think he is best at getting the ball and driving forward, he is strong and difficult to take the ball from. He can get us up the pitch.

With the other signings we have a ready made quality midfield that will allow younger players to develop, and quality players like Gomes, Richarlison and Bernard to play without pressure of the team being so dependant on them creating something.

I hope and prey this means Delph and Siggy leave as they are now surplus to requirements, and will not get any game time barring injuries and suspensions.

Truly a very exciting season lies ahead, if we can blend them together quickly enough.

[Gwlad all over]

4 hours ago, SpartyBlue said:

Bit early to be calling Gomes or Gbamin a waste isn’t it? That aside, it’s the reality at all clubs with some money that you’re going to have expensive players in the bench. For example, James Rodríguez at Real Madrid.

Right now it seems he is.

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

Have the people who are turning their noses up at Doucoure completely erased the football we endured since the restart last season from their memories?

He has everything in his locker that we have been missing and why are people getting fixated with 4-4-2? 

Carlo has been on record several times to say he doesn’t want us to have one identity,  having these three in improves us immeasurably and allows Carlo to tweak his formation/tactics to suit the opposition

If that pushes out any of the current ‘midfielders’ in the squad the as far as I’m concerned that’s an added bonus

 

[SpartyBlue]

1 hour ago, Gwlad all over said:

Right now it seems he is.

That’s quite a negative way of looking at it. Player gets hurt before he has a chance to show us what he has and he’s labeled a waste? The Gomes characterization is even worse as he’s shown good ability for us at times and also suffered a bad injury that will take time to completely get over. I hope the club doesn’t treat these guys like some of the fan base apparently does and actually gives them a chance before rendering judgement. Fair play to criticize whatever you’d like but it rings hollow when it’s directed at players who haven’t been given a fair run to prove themselves. 

[London Blue]

Gomes is a quality player, end of discussion.

You do not get signed by Barcelona and play at the level he has without having a very high level of ability.

We have all seen his displays for us, his passing, vision and leadership on the pitch, not to mention his qualities off it.

He has suffered a serious injury, played for managers not worthy of the title and in teams nowhere near his ability so his form dipped, but that is understandable. His quality is perminant.

I cant wait to see him play in Everton team with the new signings under Carlo.

Gambin has not had the chance to show his ability, but all accounts from his time in France he will be an important player for us. He deserves time to prove himself.

I wish we would try supporting our team for a change not ripping at them before the season has even started.

(Siggy and Delph not included as they have proven their inability to be part of Everton)

[Aidan]

6 hours ago, StevO said:

No, but I’ve recently become a Dad to a baby girl. The missus has been told that Film is a Mother Daughter thing.

Congratulations stev i didn't know mate. Enjoy all the joys of parenting!

Oh and if her middle name isn't Doucoureallanrodriguez I'll be disappointed. 

[London Blue]

6 hours ago, StevO said:

No, but I’ve recently become a Dad to a baby girl. The missus has been told that Film is a Mother Daughter thing.

Congrats mate, hope mother and baby doing well?

Remember my sons birth 2 years ago like it was yesterday, still in shock lol!

[StevO]

Thanks lads, I wasn’t allowed to call her Leighton which still makes no sense to me

 

 

[London Blue]

56 minutes ago, StevO said:

Thanks lads, I wasn’t allowed to call her Leighton which still makes no sense to me

 

 

Get used to not getting your own way 

[Hafnia]

3 hours ago, London Blue said:

Gomes is a quality player, end of discussion.

You do not get signed by Barcelona and play at the level he has without having a very high level of ability.

We have all seen his displays for us, his passing, vision and leadership on the pitch, not to mention his qualities off it.

He has suffered a serious injury, played for managers not worthy of the title and in teams nowhere near his ability so his form dipped, but that is understandable. His quality is perminant.

I cant wait to see him play in Everton team with the new signings under Carlo.

Gambin has not had the chance to show his ability, but all accounts from his time in France he will be an important player for us. He deserves time to prove himself.

I wish we would try supporting our team for a change not ripping at them before the season has even started.

(Siggy and Delph not included as they have proven their inability to be part of Everton)

The reason he was signed by Barca is certainly clear.... Very talented player.

Sadly the reason he was allowed to leave is evident too ... Woefully inconsistent.  This isn't an injury thing... Look at match threads from December 19 through to Feb.  

I'm hoping the new signings get the best from him as there is a player there but this injury/poor form thing isn't true. 

[Btay]

6 hours ago, Hafnia said:

The reason he was signed by Barca is certainly clear.... Very talented player.

Sadly the reason he was allowed to leave is evident too ... Woefully inconsistent.  This isn't an injury thing... Look at match threads from December 19 through to Feb.  

I'm hoping the new signings get the best from him as there is a player there but this injury/poor form thing isn't true. 

Lets give him a chance with a proper midfield though Haf, far too often he has been the only player in the center of the park taking the game on.

I feel it this year, an absolute different kettle of fish with this midfield.

[Hafnia]

35 minutes ago, Btay said:

Lets give him a chance with a proper midfield though Haf, far too often he has been the only player in the center of the park taking the game on.

I feel it this year, an absolute different kettle of fish with this midfield.

That's what I'm hoping for. At Barca he had busquets, xavi etc and struggled for consistency. 

Let's hope eh

[Aidan]

32 minutes ago, Hafnia said:

That's what I'm hoping for. At Barca he had busquets, xavi etc and struggled for consistency. 

Let's hope eh

At least he's at a club which seems to be showing in some belief and love this time. That might make the difference. 

[London Blue]

7 hours ago, Hafnia said:

The reason he was signed by Barca is certainly clear.... Very talented player.

Sadly the reason he was allowed to leave is evident too ... Woefully inconsistent.  This isn't an injury thing... Look at match threads from December 19 through to Feb.  

I'm hoping the new signings get the best from him as there is a player there but this injury/poor form thing isn't true. 

The injury is unfortunately all to real, his time at Benfica and Valencia showed he can maintain very good form. Barcelona is a test unlike any other, many many very good players go there and suffocate and have to leave to re find their career. 

[Gwlad all over]

11 hours ago, SpartyBlue said:

That’s quite a negative way of looking at it. Player gets hurt before he has a chance to show us what he has and he’s labeled a waste? The Gomes characterization is even worse as he’s shown good ability for us at times and also suffered a bad injury that will take time to completely get over. I hope the club doesn’t treat these guys like some of the fan base apparently does and actually gives them a chance before rendering judgement. Fair play to criticize whatever you’d like but it rings hollow when it’s directed at players who haven’t been given a fair run to prove themselves. 

I'm not criticising a player with an unfortunate injury but in terms of investment we haven't got any return, in what is now over a year, for the outlay. I want him back to show what we have missed.

[Btay]

1 hour ago, Hafnia said:

That's what I'm hoping for. At Barca he had busquets, xavi etc and struggled for consistency. 

Let's hope eh

I know what you are saying pal. I really hope he finds those consistent levels because he’s simply a joy to watch.

The thought of Gomes and James linking up is unreal. Allan and Doucoure to add the steel as well. I’m so excited for what this team could potentially achieve.

[Hafnia]

1 hour ago, Aidan said:

At least he's at a club which seems to be showing in some belief and love this time. That might make the difference. 

He's not just arrived mate, he's been here a good while now.  I'm not being negative but this "played bad cos of midfield partners or injury' is bollocks.

He's played well after injury, played well with good and bad partners.... We know how good he can be but he needs to find it from himself.  He just struggled with getting his head right at times, dimple as that. 

 

[Aidan]

18 minutes ago, Hafnia said:

He's not just arrived mate, he's been here a good while now.  I'm not being negative but this "played bad cos of midfield partners or injury' is bollocks.

He's played well after injury, played well with good and bad partners.... We know how good he can be but he needs to find it from himself.  He just struggled with getting his head right at times, dimple as that. 

 

Yeah ive mentioned it before but i think his dip in form at times is due to a weak mentality. Fingers crossed for improvement this season. 

[Hafnia]

46 minutes ago, Aidan said:

Yeah ive mentioned it before but i think his dip in form at times is due to a weak mentality. Fingers crossed for improvement this season. 

"If" he can be that player we see run games, gliding past players, pinging passes then we are in business. He will have the perfect partners. 

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

21 minutes ago, Hafnia said:

"If" he can be that player we see run games, gliding past players, pinging passes then we are in business. He will have the perfect partners. 

The big difference now is that if he is not that player he won’t get in to the side

[Hafnia]

58 minutes ago, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

The big difference now is that if he is not that player he won’t get in to the side

Yep.  It's up to him to prove himself rather than just accepting that he will get picked regardless. 

[barryj]

22 hours ago, Hafnia said:

Final note on this:-

OUR MIDFIELD WAS A CROCK OF SHIT AND IS STILL 2 INJURIES AWAY FROM RELEGATION QUALITY.

So you are including Davies as a crock? I’m confused with your opinion. 
 

edit. Don’t respond Haf just finished work and just seen you’ve posted in the Davies thread (obviously going to check rumourama section first!) 

[Cornish Steve]

In the meantime, I think Doucoure is a good player, and we'll benefit from his presence on the team.

[SpartyBlue]

5 minutes ago, Cornish Steve said:

In the meantime, I think Doucoure is a good player, and we'll benefit from his presence on the team.

At worst he should be a solid all-arounder and a physical presence. 

[chicagoblue]

In the end he was brought in because the other two are totally unproven in the Prem and may well take a while to settle.  He's a known entity, at least to an extent.  His first two years in England he looked very decent.  Last year he really fell off.  Was that because "his head was turned" or something deeper.  We're gambling that he still has the tools to get back to his best.  The fact that the purported price (20 M) is so much lower than it was last year (45M - we offered 37.5 and that was rejected) gives me a bit of pause.  Are we all of sudden in that strong of a negotiating position, or do Watford think they know something we don't?

I expect he'll play a lot of minutes, alongside Allan against the top teams, and alongside Gomes if we're looking for more attacking intent through the middle.

 

[Tonsta]

Why in the strange world of EFC does 48 hours last for 3 weeks?

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

 

[London Blue]

Another fucking 24 hours, forget Fergie time this is Everton time 

[Drs1972]

I think / hope they want to / are going to announce all 3 signings together, and I suspect they will use De La Souls -The Magic Number over the funky transfer announcement video... We shall wait and see!!!???

[Aidan]

8 minutes ago, Drs1972 said:

I think / hope they want to / are going to announce all 3 signings together, and I suspect they will use De La Souls -The Magic Number over the funky transfer announcement video... We shall wait and see!!!???

Welcome to the forum mate

[Btay]

Going to be huge triple announcement. Hopefully on the back of that we can maybe swing a couple more deals through with that momentum. Loving this window though, Doucoure & James hopefully to add some much needed goals. Expect James to finally be that player to go 10+ goals & 10+ assists. Doucoure should get about 5-10. Getting excited.

[barryj]

I really wanted them announced one at a time and take over the media channels all day! 

[Matt]

9 hours ago, barryj said:

I really wanted them announced one at a time and take over the media channels all day! 

Not just that though. It’s a power statement. 

[Romey 1878]

10 hours ago, barryj said:

I really wanted them announced one at a time and take over the media channels all day! 

This. I think it'll be a major opportunity lost if we announce them all at once.

[Romey 1878]

 

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

6 minutes ago, Romey 1878 said:

 

And Allan sweeping up behind them!

 

[Romey 1878]

 

[Vranny]

I’ll be interested to see how we squeeze all the new signings into midfield. In an ideal world Allan and Doucoure would be playing as box-to-box mids next to a holding midfielder and I’d imagine James playing as a no. 10 or attacking 8.

I wonder if we’ll move to the diamond midfield of Ancelotti’s old AC Milan side. It might be the better option over playing the likes of Walcott, Bolassie, etc. 

[StevO]

Nice to see he’s been liking Everton tweets for the last few days. 

[Btay]

1 hour ago, Vranny said:

I’ll be interested to see how we squeeze all the new signings into midfield. In an ideal world Allan and Doucoure would be playing as box-to-box mids next to a holding midfielder and I’d imagine James playing as a no. 10 or attacking 8.

I wonder if we’ll move to the diamond midfield of Ancelotti’s old AC Milan side. It might be the better option over playing the likes of Walcott, Bolassie, etc. 

absolutely agree. Would love to see us playing this 2 attacking mids and one holding. Nice change from the 4-2-3-1 we’ve seen a lot of in the last few years.

[Makis]

6 hours ago, Vranny said:

I’ll be interested to see how we squeeze all the new signings into midfield. In an ideal world Allan and Doucoure would be playing as box-to-box mids next to a holding midfielder and I’d imagine James playing as a no. 10 or attacking 8.

I wonder if we’ll move to the diamond midfield of Ancelotti’s old AC Milan side. It might be the better option over playing the likes of Walcott, Bolassie, etc. 

James has also played in either wing / midfield. He has the work rate and is not bad at defending.

[badaids]

I’ve come round to us signing Doucoure.

I didn’t realise he’s a bit of a box to box player, good engine, can tackle, good at dribbling and can hammer a finish.

Also, he’s the type of player you hope doesn’t play against you. He always worried me when we played against Watford. So hopefully he can have that effect on other players.

[Romey 1878]

 

[SpartyBlue]

7 hours ago, Makis said:

James has also played in either wing / midfield. He has the work rate and is not bad at defending.

The book on James is that you don’t really want him defending. You want him in an attacking role in the center of the pitch where he’s free to roam a bit and to try things without having to worry about getting back to defend. That’s how he’s been used under Ancelotti in the past and under Ancelotti is where he’s been the most successful. He has played winger under Zidane (when he’s played at all) and he can get away with it a bit because he has a tremendous left foot and is a great crosser of the ball but that isn’t where he’s best as he lacks a winger’s pace. 

[Makis]

He played deeper at Bayern and excelled there as well. And AFAIK Ancelotti also played him as RW.

[Bailey]

Fourth Official also confirms the Doucoure signing. He has been ahead of everyone else so far.

I must admit I am very impressed by how we have gone about this window in the end. It might have been a bit slow but we needed a new midfield and we have one. 

[SpartyBlue]

3 minutes ago, Bailey said:

Fourth Official also confirms the Doucoure signing. He has been ahead of everyone else so far.

I must admit I am very impressed by how we have gone about this window in the end. It might have been a bit slow but we needed a new midfield and we have one. 

When you think of how much of the window we have left, I think these players have actually come quite fast. It just seems slow because of the shortened offseason. We have a month left. Ideally we’d keep players like Walcott and Bolassie around until the end to see who has what and then make a decision. Also you never know when injuries will pop up.