How Sean Dyche can ease Abdoulaye Doucoure injury blow with minor Everton tweak

Add as preferred source on Google

The games come thick and fast for English teams around this period, with Everton particularly burdened given their continued presence in the EFL Cup.

Well, today marks its return, and a huge opportunity to step into the semi-finals of a cup competition; completely uncharted waters for the Toffees in recent years.

Fulham stand in their way, alongside a slew of injuries that Sean Dyche will have to contend with.

Whilst the potential absences of Vitaliy Mykolenko and Ashley Young will be tough to replace, this duo are incomparable to the vacancy Abdoulaye Doucoure leaves when he is not fit.

The Mali international has skyrocketed into a position where he is one of the club’s most important figures, with his six goals this season making him their top scorer thus far.

However, Dyche seemingly found a formula earlier in the month for dealing without the 31-year-old, given he was forced to miss their 3-0 win over Newcastle United.

Surely it would make sense for Everton to mimic that masterclass by once again employing Jack Harrison in that new, central role.

How good has Jack Harrison been for Everton?

Playing a key role that night in nullifying the threat of Bruno Guimaraes in the midfield, the winger was workmanlike and relentless in his pressing.

Although often starved of possession, and therefore the opportunity to create, tonight should mark a far greater chance to exert his will on the game whilst still remaining key to the system.

Having joined in the summer from Leeds United, shipped out on loan following their relegation, a cash-strapped Everton were the willing beneficiaries of such proven Premier League talent for a cut price.

Ever since joining, he has proven why their excitement was well-placed.

The £90k-per-week magician has already scored once and assisted a further three in the league this term, but perhaps more importantly is averaging 1.2 key passes and 5.2 ball recoveries per game, via Sofascore.

It should therefore come as no surprise that Harrison has been lauded as a ‘beast’ in the past by journalist Beren Cross, who sought to outline his physical assets.

In that aforementioned clash with the Magpies, the 27-year-old shone in the midfield role where Doucoure often stars too, giving confidence in his ability to do it all again.

After all, he would make three key passes, enjoy a 100% dribble success rate, and win five duels too.

If Doucoure is deemed unfit, Dyche is fortunate enough to be blessed with such a wealth of talent to hopefully still propel them into the next round of the cup.