Everton were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City on Saturday, and Abdoulaye Doucoure sent an interesting message after the game.
Everton did well for the most part, but ultimately came up short, conceding twice in the final 10 minutes at Goodison Park.
Nico O’Reilly broke the deadlock, before Mateo Kovacic scored City’s second in injury-time to seal the win.
It was only the third defeat in the Premier League for Everton since David Moyes returned to the club in January.
While City have had their issues this season, they still remain capable of beating anyone in the division.
It was just frustrating for Everton to have come so close to holding them. Undoubtedly, the loss of James Tarkowski to injury in the second-half was a key factor in City gaining momentum. Pundit Chris Sutton suggested Tarkowski’s substitution was the moment Everton lost the game.
After the game Abdoulaye Doucoure sent a message to fans on X, and it was interesting to read between the lines.
Abdoulaye Doucoure sends subtle message to Everton board amid contract uncertainty
As things currently stand, Doucoure will leave Everton this summer when his contract expires.
Everton recently missed the deadline to trigger Doucoure’s one-year extension option.
That meant the club and player must now sit down and renegotiate fresh terms if there is a desire for him to continue.
What has become clear in recent weeks is that Doucoure is keen to stick around at Everton.
Doucoure gestured signing a new contract during his celebration against Nottingham Forest, which was something that actually drew a bit of criticism from Moyes.
After the defeat to City, Doucoure sent a message to fans – and was a bit more subtle this time in expressing his feelings.
He said: “Tough one to take but I’m proud of the boys! Always a privilege to wear this shirt and playing at Goodison once more.”
- READ MORE: Everton’s dream Abdoulaye Doucoure replacement made available for £42m, Marco Silva loved him
Doucoure may need to accept lower wages at Everton
Everton’s decision not to trigger Doucoure’s one-year option was interesting.
Seemingly, that would suggest that the club don’t want to continue with the terms that have been in place.
Doucoure – who Moyes suggests is actually underappreciated – is one of Everton’s highest earners.
Perhaps Everton feel his performances this season don’t warrant him staying on the money he currently is. Maybe the club are open to him staying, but want to reduce his wages.
It remains to be seen if an agreement can be reached. Doucoure did admit recently that his contract situation at Everton is ‘difficult’.
But the message Doucoure sent after the defeat to City – talking about how it’s a ‘privilege’ to wear the shirt – did feel like a subtle one to the Everton board that he wants an extension offer presented to him.
It remains to be seen if Everton will do that.
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