Watford’s Abdoulaye Doucoure starred in front of Mauricio Pochettino on Monday night.
Mauricio Pochettino
Watford produced a superb display on Monday night to beat Chelsea 4-1 at Vicarage Road, with a number of players impressing in Javi Gracia’s first game in charge.
The Hornets saw Eden Hazard equalise in the second half after Troy Deeney’s penalty opened the scoring, but a late flurry of goals from Daryl Janmaat, Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra secured a thumping win for Watford.
Watford were impressive throughout, and one player who particularly impressed for Gracia’s men was midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, who continued his superb season with another dominant display.
Abdoulaye Doucoure of Watford and David Luiz of Chelsea
Doucoure was effective in all areas of the pitch on Monday night, as he not only recorded two assists for Watford goals, but also played four key passes as he showed he can be a creative force.
The Frenchman had more touches of the ball than any Watford player and used them well, completing 87% of his passes whilst also starring on the defensive side of the game too.
Doucoure made five tackles, the second-most of any Watford player, and notched three interceptions, with no teammate recording more as the 25-year-old was virtually unplayable both defensively and going forward.
Gary Cahill of Chelsea and Abdoulaye Doucoure of Watford in action
That performance should have been a call to attention for Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, who was sat in the stands at Vicarage Road, possibly watching Richarlison or merely taking a look at two local Premier League rivals.
However, with Spurs looking to find a player who can succeed Mousa Dembele in the middle of midfield, offering the same drive and all-round ability as the Belgian – and Doucoure proved, in front of Pochettino, that he can serve that role, showing that he could be the player Spurs need as an ideal Dembele replacement.
Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Abdoulaye Doucoure of Watford
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