'Underrated' Everton ace credits Benitez for his brilliant form

By Shamanth Jayaram

Abdoulaye Doucoure has been one of Everton’s best players this season and the Frenchman has credited his good form to new boss Rafa Benitez.

Doucoure, labelled as ‘one of the most underrated players in the Premier League’ by Kevin Campbell, joined the Toffees from Watford last year. He had his moments in his debut season at Goodison Park, but we didn’t see the best of him. However, he has stepped up this season and he has explained why.

The 28-year-old was asked about the upturn in his form and he thanked Benitez for it. He claimed that the Spaniard changed ‘everything’ in his game, and that is the biggest reason why he has been so good this term.

Doucoure: Rafa Benitez completely changed my game

He told Everton’s official website: “I am very happy with the games I’ve played this season and I am learning with the manager every day.

“Everything changed in my game and my understanding of the game improved. The manager gave me a lot of advice – simple advice that makes a difference – and I try to take that on the pitch and help the team as much as I can.

“It was massive against Norwich for our position in the table and to come back to Goodison and win after a difficult week.”

Doucoure has been brilliant

The former Watford man has started every single game for Everton in the Premier League this season and he has been brilliant. He has two goals and three assists to his name in just six starts, which is a phenomenal return for a midfielder.

Doucoure has already matched his goals and assists tally in the league from last season, and if he can continue the same kind of form until the end of the campaign, he will surely reach double figures.

Many football fans believed Everton would struggle under Benitez this season, but the Toffees have proved them all wrong. They are currently fifth in the table, just one point off league leaders Liverpool, which is something most fans couldn’t have even imagined when he was appointed.