Abdoulaye Doucoure has told EvertonTV that he is adamant the Everton squad are fighting for each other and every result to ensure Rafa Benitez’s first season can still be a success.
The Toffees started the Spaniard’s tenure at Goodison Park with four wins in their first six Premier League games. But the Blues have only won one of their subsequent 11 fixtures.
Injuries have ripped through the Merseysiders’ squad, as well, with Benitez having to juggle a constant crisis. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been a particularly sore miss for Everton, but the striker may make his first outing since August due to a quadriceps injury on Boxing Day.
Benitez will be itching to bring Calvert-Lewin back into the squad at Burnley. But Doucoure believes Everton will still have to do better across the board to turn their season around.
“Of course, it’s been a difficult season so far, especially with the injuries we’ve had,” said Doucoure. “We’re starting to get some players back now and I think the team is improving, but we have to do better to be in a better position. We are positive and we have the belief.
“You can see the players fighting for each other, for every result. We want to go on a good run, but we know it’s important to do the basics right and start winning games consistently. We still have the belief we can have a good season.”
Everton have a number of areas for Benitez and Doucoure to improve
No Premier League club has taken fewer points than Everton since September 27. Both the Blues and Watford have claimed six-points, but the Hornets have played one fewer fixture.
Additionally, only Brighton (7) and Norwich (6) have scored less than Everton (9) over their last 11 games. While only Newcastle (27 in 12) have conceded more than the Toffees (22).
Calvert-Lewin – who scored three goals over his three appearances this season – returning, then, will be a big boost for Benitez. But as Doucoure says, Everton must improve all over.
Doucoure will also want to look at his own performances over Everton’s recent fixtures to help Benitez secure some success. The £20m midfielder’s runs from box-to-box have still been powerful, but he has lacked the last touch in the final-third.
The 28-year-old scored twice and assisted four goals in his first seven games under Benitez this season. But Doucoure has not created or scored since returning from a stress fracture.
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