Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that he has been left very pleasantly surprised by how good Abdoulaye Doucoure has performed for Everton this season.
The Italian manager is enjoying an excellent first full season at Goodison Park right now.
Everton beat Brendan Rodgers’s Leicester City side in midweek to move fifth in the Premier League table, only two points behind second-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
And one big reason for their strong form has been the former Watford midfielder.
The Toffees signed the Frenchman for £20 million this past summer and the powerhouse has since started all 13 Premier League games under Ancelotti.
The Goodison Park club have Marcel Brands doing their bidding for them in the transfer window, and the former AC Milan and Real Madrid boss concedes that he didn’t know a great deal about Doucoure prior to his arrival.
Ancelotti told The Echo: “He is fantastic box-to-box. I am really pleased and really surprised. I didn’t know him as well as what I have seen this season.
“I think he is one of the best French midfielders around and I think he can go to the national team.”
Doucoure could consolidate his status as a huge player for Everton if he helps them to victory tomorrow.
Ancelotti’s side host struggling Arsenal on Merseyside and despite the Gunners’ woes, they still have a lot of very capable players, but if Doucoure can shut them down then his coach will be even more impressed.
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