Michael Ball has been left amazed by what Abdoulaye Doucoure can do in front of goal for Everton.
Writing for the Liverpool Echo, the former Everton man claimed that ‘something seems to happen’ when the 30-year-old gets on the attack.
Doucoure joined the Toffees from Watford in a £20 million deal three years ago and has since endured a rollercoaster of a time on Merseyside, though his time under Sean Dyche has seen his form dramatically improve.
After struggling to establish himself as a regular for Everton last season, Doucoure came back into the picture following Dyche’s appointment and managed to score five goals in their final ten games of the Premier League campaign.
After netting a brace in a shock 5-1 hammering of Brighton in May, the midfielder went onto bag one of the most important goals in Everton’s history – claiming the only goal of the game as the Toffees secured their top flight status on the final day of the season.
Doucoure went onto score his first of this term in Everton’s draw with Sheffield United at the weekend and Ball has admitted he is very impressed with his ability in the opposition’s box.
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Abdoulaye Doucoure ‘gets goals’ for Everton
“Doucoure gets goals,” Ball told the ECHO. “He’s not a natural finisher but something seems to happen when Doucoure is in the opposition box.
“He’s got that ability to start play but also has the legs to be a number in the box.”
Doucoure went onto sign a new one-year deal with Everton, despite previously looking like he would never play a game for the club again. He has since started all four of the club’s opening games of this season, though the Merseyside outfit will be hoping they don’t have to rely on him again to stay in the Premier League.