With Everton enjoying a resurgence, it’s only natural that the media would start to pick up on the steady return to form of one of England’s most historic institutions.
Many revelled in the failures that led to their back-to-back relegation battles, given the intrigue drawn by seeing such a big club in peril.
It would be disingenuous to then snub those helping mastermind the comeback of the Toffees, with Sean Dyche atop that illustrious list.
His philosophy has quickly gelled with the Goodison crowd, despite a bumpy start to the new Premier League season, and as such Evertonians are feeling the benefits of supporting a team willing to give their all, with work ethic at the forefront of everything they do.
With that style in place, Abdoulaye Doucoure has in turn enjoyed a comeback of his own, given he very nearly departed the club whilst Frank Lampard was in charge.
Pundit Robbie Earle sought to praise the 30-year-old, outlining just how important he is among other figures, whilst lauding the 52-year-old manager too. He told The 2 Robbies Podcast: ‘I get the sense Sean Dyche’s work is starting to have effect, in Dyche we trust. Mykolenko again in the goals.
‘Doucoure, who is becoming an absolute diamond for Dyche, Abdoulaye Doucoure with the goal. I just get the sense that both parties, the manager and the dressing room, are starting to appreciate each other.’
Why did Frank Lampard not play Abdoulaye Doucoure?
The reasons behind Lampard’s blatant disregard for the £120k-per-week Mali international remain unclear given the clear talent that has been on show since his dismissal. After all, it was his five goals that arguably proved most pivotal in Everton‘s safety last season, having already notched four again this term to earn further praise from one journalist.
‘I was close to leaving’, the former Watford midfielder would tell Sky Sports back in March, revealing how he did not receive what he deemed to be a fair opportunity under the Chelsea legend.
‘I heard sometimes people saying, ‘He’s not ready, he’s not fit’ but it wasn’t true. I was always fit, always ready to play. Maybe it was a personal thing but it doesn’t matter now.’ A polite and well-mannered ace, his inability to lambast his former boss is admirable given the treatment he received.
The Times had reported that, due to his involvement in a dressing room clash with Lampard, Doucoure was marginalised from the group and often forced to train alone.
Having gone on to become a key figure under Dyche, it is he who has enjoyed the last laugh.
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