Everton saw a considerable number of players leave the club over the summer, some of whom played a big role in the club’s recent campaigns
So much has changed in such a short space of time on Merseyside and Everton already look like a much-improved outfit.
The Friedkin Group have now been in situ for exactly one whole year and they have kickstarted the club’s return to being a club with ambition.
Over the summer, Moyes was handed some big-name Everton signings, with players such as Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall added to their squad.
However, a number of household names were let go.
Idrissa Gana Gueye was handed a new contract over the summer, but he has admitted that one of his best friends departed.
Idrissa Gana Gueye remains friends with player Everton offloaded
Over recent weeks, Gueye has hailed Iliman Ndiaye, with his compatriot enjoying another sensational season for the Blues.
But the 37-year-old midfielder is now having to play without one of his best friends whom he formed a strong relationship with on Merseyside.
Which player(s) should TFG have kept at the club looking back one year on from the takeover? 🤔
Speaking on the Premier League’s YouTube channel, Gueye has spoken about his relationship with Abdoulaye Doucoure.
“Yeah, Doucs is a good friend of mine we keep speaking even after he left the club, he’s a good guy, he gave me a good ball [for his goal vs Palace], and it was a great touch and a great finish.” Gueye said.
Everton made an attempt to keep Doucoure by offering him a new contract, but he chose to test the market as a free agent.
Since departing, Doucoure has made the move to Saudi Arabia where he is currently playing for NEOM SC.
After some of the goals he scored for the Blues, there will not be many Everton fans who have a bad word to say about the Mali midfielder.
Everton could have done with Abdoulaye Doucoure amid injury woes
There is some irony in the notion that Doucoure probably could have played some minutes for Everton going into the festive fixtures.
Dewsbury-Hall has shared an injury update, with the 27-year-old looking set for a spell on the sidelines.
The news everyone feared… 😫
Who is going to step up with Dewsbury-Hall out potentially for weeks?
Carlos Alcaraz, Tyler Dibling and Dwight McNeil are now set to play their part in Moyes’ side over the coming weeks.
With Iliman Ndiaye absent and Grealish also suffering a hamstring injury, the Blues are set to have their squad depth tested.
Although Doucoure would not get into Everton’s full strength starting XI, he may have helped Moyes’ options if he was still at the club.
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