Abdoulaye Doucoure responds after Everton player agrees deal days after exit
Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure were two of the candidates to make up Everton’s exodus of players this summer.
It’s all change for David Moyes‘ side as Everton prepare for arguably the most transformative period in 133 years, as they move from Goodison Park to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Liverpool’s waterfront.
Moyes’ squad could also be almost unrecognisable when they kick off their Premier League campaign against Leeds on 18 August, with a plethora of returning loaness and even more players out of contract.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the latest long-serving Evertonian to depart the club alongide Ashley Young, Asmir Begovic, Mason Holgate and Doucoure, and there were doubts over several other big names.
Idrissa Gueye signs new Everton deal as Doucoure reacts
Doucoure’s departure from came after he was given an emotional farewell at Goodison Park, and the exit door remained open for several of his team-mates ahead of massive on and off-field changes at Everton.
Football Insider revealed back in May that Everton weren’t rushing into a decision on the futures of both Doucoure and Gueye this summer, but the latter has proven to be a player they want to keep in the fold.
As a result, Everton re-opened late contract talks with Gueye and Michael Keane ahead of the 30 June deadline, and the former’s option to extend his deal has been activated to stay put on Merseyside.
Everton announced Gueye’s contract extension on Instagram (7 July) and Doucoure shared their post to his own story, with the message of two ‘blue heart’ emojis as well as some ‘open hands’,
Everton keen to capitalise on new contract agreements
Football Insider Verdict
Given he turns 36 in September, Gueye isn’t expected to repeat the 35 Premier League starts he made for Everton last season, but his contract extension does give Moyes some breathing room in midfield.
Carlos Alcaraz’s loan move from Flamengo being made permanent is Everton’s only ‘new’ signing so far, and Moyes has understandably looked to instead tie down some of their eight out-of-contract players.
Jarrad Branthwaite signing a new long-term deal is also a huge statement, and with deal for Villarreal’s Thierno Barry close, the rate of incomings needs to increase for Everton to avoid a difficult first season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.