Everton midfielder Amamdou Onana has revealed that he was unimpressed with how teammate Abdoulaye Doucoure was treated at times during this season.
The Belgian claims that the £20m Doucoure was ‘disrespected’ earlier in the campaign, referencing Frank Lampard’s falling out with the midfielder.
Indeed, the relationship between Lampard and Doucoure soured earlier in the season, when the former Everton manager reportedly banned Doucs from training with the first team, forcing him to train alone.
Speaking with French publication L’Equipe, Onana said: “I was very happy that he (Doucoure) was the saviour of this club. He’s a friend, not just a teammate.
He has seen all the colours this season. He went through ups and downs. At one point, he was sent to the reserve team. For me, he was disrespected at times.
But I always knew the quality he had, the things he was capable of on a daily basis in training. He is a worker. He deserves it. This goal was also liberating for him.”
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Following the sacking of Frank Lampard in January, Doucoure’s Everton career was rejuvenated under Sean Dyche’s appointment and has since extended his stay at the club by another year.
Indeed, not only did Doucoure score the winning goal against Bournemouth last Sunday, keeping Everton in the Premier League, his performances over recent months have been outstanding.
The 30-year-old featured in every game under Sean Dyche, minus the three for which he was absent following the sending off against Spurs.
During this period, he scored five goals, including a memorable brace during the 5-1 win at the Amex Stadium, as well as contributing two assists.
The midfielder came very close to joining Fulham in January, and had the Malian departed Goodison Park, the Blues could have had a very different end to the season.