Abdoulaye Doucoure is determined to prove his worth to Everton as he enters the final year of his contract.
The midfielder said last season was the toughest of his career due to his personal battle with injury and the club’s collective fight against relegation. As a new season approaches he hopes the Blues can push on and be competitive enough to play with more freedom.
Crucial to his own game is the knowledge of manager Frank Lampard, with Doucoure acknowledging one of the Premier League’s greatest midfielders has already helped him to improve his game.
READ MORE: Frank Lampard issues 'relegation battle' warning to Everton players and clear transfer message
READ MORE: Minnesota hammering leaves Frank Lampard and Everton facing familiar blunt truth
Foot and groin injuries disrupted Doucoure’s season. A damaged metatarsal sustained against West Ham United in October - in what was just Everton’s second defeat of the campaign - placed him on the sidelines after a strong start. He then missed the opening weeks of Lampard’s reign with the groin issue, sustained in January. When he returned to fitness he was fighting for a place in a team facing a relegation battle that saw Lampard eventually pushed into pragmatic tactics as the club fought for every vital point.
Reflecting on the season from Everton’s team hotel during the tour of the US, Doucoure said: “To be honest it was the toughest season of my career. Of course, the end was nice. But it was very tough for all of us. I think it was the toughest season we had in our careers so far.”
The 29-year-old said it was a huge lift for everyone when the club secured its Premier League status with a comeback win over Crystal Palace in the penultimate game of the year. He said he was aware throughout the survival battle of just what relegation would mean: “All through the season it was tough. We had never been in a good position to get ahead - we got safe with one game in hand, so of course it was a big pressure. It was Everton. You cannot go down with this club. So the pressure was even bigger.”
Doucoure was able to learn from Lampard amid the turmoil of that fight, highlighting an improvement in his timing of runs into the box. This was showcased several times in the final weeks of the season, including through his lung-busting run to force Kasper Schmeichel into an important save in the away win at Leicester City.
Doucoure is keen to commit his future to Everton and said initial talks had not yet led to progress. He has one year left on his contract - though the club has the option to extend that by a further 12 months. Speaking with passion about his happiness on Merseyside, the former Watford player said: "I enjoy being here a lot. I want to commit to the club for the future. For three or four years more. I enjoy the atmosphere and have more to give to the club. Let's see if the club have the same reflections as me and we can work together.”
Doucoure wants to show his importance to the club this season. He is hopeful this will be possible if the side can play with the more progressive tactics Lampard is keen to deploy - though the friendly defeats to Arsenal and Minnesota United have exposed vulnerabilities in a squad currently weaker than the one that narrowly avoided relegation following the sale of talisman Richarlison.
Doucoure, who has started both friendlies in the US, is targeting playing at least 30 games and providing more goals - particularly with Lampard to learn from. He said: "He [Lampard] was a top scorer in the league. I still have to learn a little bit more because last season, it was tough, so we didn't go further with the tactics. It was more of a battle in games. But this season can be a little more about getting good time on the ball and scoring more goals.
Doucoure added: “I am a box-to-box player. I can play in a two [man midfield], I can play 4-3-3, so I am very flexible in that role. The manager knows my qualities so I hope to have a great season… This season I think we are going to start playing football, enjoying our football more, because I think we have got the players to play football a little bit more. I hope this season we are going to do that."
Important to Everton being able to play with more freedom will be the club’s transfer market activity before the season begins with the visit of Chelsea on August 6. Lampard has made it clear his squad, so far boosted by the arrival of James Tarkowski, needs to be strengthened. The search for inspiration has also focused on the club’s academy too, with several starlets impressing in training and against Arsenal.
Doucoure, who made his international debut for Mali earlier this year, said he had been impressed by their development, including that of midfielders Isaac Price and Lewis Dobbin and defender Reece Welch. Keen to help them, he said: “We all started like them. We're there to support them.”
While the US tour highlighted improvement was still required, Doucoure suggested the experience of the relegation battle could be a launchpad for better days ahead: "I remember when I was at Watford. West Ham were fighting with us at the time. They stayed up and then after they finished in Europe. The big difference can be avoiding relegation. I'm not saying we're going to play for Europe but you never know in football. You can have a great start and, especially with the team we have, we can beat anyone - especially at home.”
READ NEXT:
- Everton 'offered' Barkley as Premier League rivals join Dennis 'race'
Frank Lampard names two things he wants from Everton this season and makes transfers admission
Inside Everton pre-season training as Frank Lampard demands and star performer revealed
Fans star in new film showing how you can work on Everton's new stadium
Everton's Dynamo Kyiv fundraiser will be the first 'Match for Peace' in the UK
