Kevin Campbell told The Football Show on Sky Sports (23/12/20 at 11:20 am) that Abdoulaye Doucoure is ‘one of the most underrated players in the Premier League’.
The former Toffees hitman shared how the 27-year-old is that ‘all-rounder’ for Everton in the middle of the park following his summer switch from Watford.
In recent times, Everton have missed that engine in the middle of the park and it’s fair to say that Doucoure, alongside Allan, have tuned it up for the Merseyside outfit.
Campbell shared his thoughts on those players who have impressed him at Everton this season and how Richarlison is the key to everything.
“I thought Tom Davies has come in there and done well [with Allan’s injury],” said Campbell. “You have got to look at Dominic Calvert-Lewin as well, who has done excellently well and he’s been great for the team.
“Defensively they have been solid. I think Michael Keane deserves some credit. Yerry Mina has come in and partnered him. Mason Holgate has come back and done very well. Godfrey, I like this young man. Very impressive right-back, centre-back and left-back. He’s doing a great job.
“But I think the key to Everton is Richarlison. When he wasn’t there Everton lost every game. He comes back and everything starts to flow again. He’s the difference-maker in the point where, Everton might not be playing well, but he has that magic and something special about him.
“I like the look of Everton moving forward and they are only getting stronger – Doucoure is one of the most underrated players in the Premier League. Box-to-box. Can put his foot in. Scores goals. He’s a great all-rounder.”
From an attacking standpoint, Doucoure can be that player that drives with the ball into the final third or makes those intelligent runs off the ball inside the penalty area.
But equally, his biggest asset perhaps lies in his own final third where he showcases his aggression, ability to read defensive situations, remain strong in his challenges and bully opposition players off the ball.
Add that with Everton’s forward-thinking fullbacks, their creative technician in James Rodriguez, the versatile Richarlison and the battering ram Dominic Calvert-Lewin then it makes for a very strong XI that is being built.
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