Paul Robinson has been left lauding the news that Abdoulaye Doucoure could now be fit enough to play for Everton when they play Manchester City on Saturday evening.
The Lowdown: ‘Close’
As quoted by The Liverpool Echo, Frank Lampard revealed over the weekend that Doucoure could now be ‘close’ to being fit for the Premier League game over the weekend, after missing their last four matches in all competitions.
He struggled with injury earlier on this season, with a stress fracture leaving him out of four matches in the top flight between October and November, in which the Goodison Park faithful gained just one point and conceded 10 goals (Transfermarkt).
Nonetheless, it is good to hear that he seems to be nearing a full recovery.
The Latest: Robinson reacts
Speaking to Football Insider, former Tottenham Hotspur and England international goalkeeper Robinson, who regularly features on Sky Sports, has now claimed that it is a ‘huge boost’ to have Doucoure returning to fitness ahead of the match against the Sky Blues:
“Firstly, it’s a huge boost to have Doucoure back.
“He’s so important to how they play.
“I think Lampard changes the formation against Man City. I think he plays a three in midfield with Doucoure, Allan and Van de Beek in there. On paper, wow, that is a top, top midfield three.
“If you play the three of them in the middle you can bring Dele Alli into a role as well. He can potentially play in behind Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
“Alli is in desperate need of game time and I think Doucoure’s involvement gives Lampard the option of playing a more narrow 4-3-1-2. Dele could go into that number 10 role that he is so effective in.”
The Verdict: Relief
After his previous injury, it will certainly come as a relief to both Lampard and the Merseyside club that Doucoure is nearing full fitness again, especially if he is able to play against Pep Guardiola’s men.
To have any chance against the reigning champions, Lampard will need all of his best players fit, and the Frenchman is certainly one of them.
Doucoure currently ranks as the Toffees’ third-best player so far this season, having made a team-high four assists in the Premier League, while he also ranks highly in terms of average tackles, shots, dribbles, passes and through balls per game (WhoScored).
Nonetheless, MCFC will look to dominate the midfield, and the 29-year-old will be key in making sure that that does not happen.
In other news, find out whose Instagram hint suggests he may be back against City here!