Tom Davies has endured a tough start under Rafa Benitez, but the midfielder has a second chance to impress after Everton confirmed Abdoulaye Doucoure has sustained an injury.
Toffees staff are currently assessing Doucoure to determine the full extent of his issue after developing a stress-related foot injury. Devastating fans, but the Frenchman currently does not require surgery for the problem sustained against West Ham United on Sunday.
Losing Doucoure will be a big blow for Benitez as the midfielder has been key to his plans at Everton. He has started all eight of the Blues’ Premier League matches so far, scored twice and laid on four assists. The 28-year-old also played an hour at QPR in the EFL Cup.
Doucoure has provided Benitez a commanding box-to-box presence at Goodison Park since the Spaniard took charge this summer. Regularly slotting through defence-splitting passes, storming up the field to offer his support and striking the back of the net.
Everton will be weaker in the centre while Benitez is without Doucoure as he recovers from his latest injury. Carlo Ancelotti’s £20m signing from Watford in 2020 missed seven Premier League games last season after sustaining a foot injury.
Davies to capitalise on Doucoure injury again at Everton?
Davies was the man who capitalised most from Doucoure’s foot injury under Ancelotti last season, and could now benefit under the Italian’s replacement at Everton, Benitez, as well.
The 23-year-old struggled to hold a key role under Ancelotti, but featured regularly while Doucoure was absent. He also benefitted from Allan’s hamstring injury, and turned in a standout showing in February’s 3-3 draw at Manchester United. Earning Ancelotti’s praise.
“Tom is a really professional player, really focused on what he is doing,” Ancelotti said, via the Liverpool Echo. “He has a strong sense of belonging to this club and this is also really important. The only thing I said to him is to simplify his work and his style of play.
“He plays in a position where, tactically, you have to be really focused. Watching the game against United, I think tactically he was perfect. With the ball he has maybe not the quality of a top midfielder but in that position, we need to play simple passes.”
Second chance to impress Benitez?
Davies may now have a second chance to impress Benitez with Doucoure’s space in his Everton midfield now clear. A chance he potentially must grab, after the Blues discussed offloading the midfielder this summer, per The Athletic.
Benitez is yet to rely on the Toffees product over the opening months of his Goodison Park tenure so far. Davies is yet to start any of the Spaniard’s Premier League fixtures in charge and has only featured for 35-minutes over three substitute appearances from seven games.
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