Phillips: Everton out of top-four race after devastating Doucoure update
Everton won’t be able to secure a top-four finish following Abdoulaye Doucoure’s devastating injury.
That’s according to former Sunderland forward Kevin Phillips, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the blow.
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Doucoure will miss around ten weeks of football with a fractured foot which could rule him out for the rest of the season.
The midfielder moved to Goodison Park in the summer after being relegated with Watford last season and he has been a key player for Ancelotti.
Phillips claims Everton would be able to manage without Doucoure in the short-term but his extended spell on the sidelines will cost the club their top-four hopes.
“It’s a big blow. Doucoure has done brilliantly since he’s been at Everton,” Phillips told Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs.
“He’s the engine in the middle of the park, the security, so it’s a big loss. It’s an area of the park they’ve had to deal with because Allan’s been out for a while.
“It will be a blow to their top-four hopes. If it was a couple of games they could get through it but now I’m not so sure.
“They might’ve been able to tweak the system in a way where they wouldn’t miss him as much but now he’s out for a while I can’t see that happening.
“He’s been excellent for them this season, he’ll be a big miss.”
Doucoure has started 25 of Everton’s 28 Premier League games this season picking up two goals and three assists.
The Blues are next in action against Manchester City in their FA Cup quarter final clash next Saturday.
In other news, Everton are to listen to offers for £100,000-a-week+ star and are willing to sell at a huge loss.