Stats show how brilliant ‘terrific’ Everton star has really been under Sean Dyche

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Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure has looked twice the player he did this time last year.

The midfielder has gone from being cast out of the team to being one of the Toffees’ most important goalscorers.

Abdoulaye Doucoure joined Everton from Watford in 2020 and quickly established himself as a regular in the squad. However, his career at Goodison Park looked to be over during Frank Lampard’s tenure.

The ‘terrific’ 30-year-old started the first two games of the 2022/23 campaign under Lampard, but only played a further 98 minutes in the Premier League before Sean Dyche arrived at the end of January.

With Doucoure’s contract set to expire in the summer, Doucoure looked destined for the exit door before his time on Merseyside was transformed.

The Mali international became a regular under the former Burnley coach and was the man to save Everton’s top flight status in their final day victory over Bournemouth.

Doucoure earned himself a new contract and has since continued to impress this season, becoming a key player in front of goal for the Toffees.

As per journalist Alan Myers, Doucoure has now scored 10 goals in 30 games under Dyche, compared to the four goals he scored in 69 games before that.

Having already netted five goals in the Premier League season and matching last term’s total, Doucoure is really proving himself as someone who can do a bit of everything for the Toffees.

The midfielder has had the second-most shots in the squad (25), blocked the second-most passes (13), completed the most dribbles (14) and has also made the most key passes (22).

How important has Doucoure been for Sean Dyche?

Sean Dyche has certainly worked his magic on the 30-year-old and he is repaying his faith, showing exactly why he is the highest-paid player at the club.

Everton need to start focusing on youth and developing the likes of James Garner and Jarrad Branthwaite, but Doucoure deserves plenty of attention and praise for seemingly ageing like a fine wine over the last year.

If only he was a few years older though, Everton would be raking in the millions for him. But for now, the club are probably lucky that his age means no one is coming calling.