Many things don't function at Everton - but Doucoure never stops! The strong midfielder signs until June 2025

Abdoulaye Doucoure is staying! The guy who almost single-handedly saved Everton from relegation last season has now signed a two-year extension to his contract in the blue half of Liverpool. The Toffees confirmed that the midfielder had agreed to stay at the club until June 2025.

Sean Dyche, who knows that his most senior players will have to prove their commitment for the team to retain their top-flight status, will find the news of the 30-year-old signing a contract a huge boost. Doucoure is in excellent form this season. The Mali international has already scored three goals in the Premier League despite only a quarter of the season has been completed. This is why the tenacious midfielder has been given a better deal.

"I love Everton, and I'm delighted to extend my stay here and look forward to staying with the club. It was a straightforward decision to make. I love all the people around the club and all the fans who have shown me so much love in the past couple of months. My wish was to stay here and continue to enjoy my time with Everton. It's important to me that I stay. I have always fought for this club, and I love this club. Everton is where I always wanted to be. The fans' support has been incredible, and I can't thank them enough for all the support they give me. I want to keep playing and learning, and I also want to fight for the badge and the club."

During his three years at Goodison Park, Doucoure, who signed from Watford three years ago, has directly contributed to 23 goals in 108 games in all competitions. The decision to offer Doucoure a new deal is well-deserved. While his standout moment was the crucial goal that helped Everton avoid relegation against Bournemouth on the final day of the previous season, his overall impact has been significant. His resurgence under former Burnley manager Dyche has been quite surprising, and sometimes, a player simply clicks with a new coach. Doucoure's role has shifted further forward under Dyche, and he has rewarded the faith shown in him with eight goals and three assists since May when he scored against Nottingham Forest.

While Doucoure's form has been celebrated, this contract extension also allows the club to plan for the future, including finding a replacement for the ageing midfielder. Everton currently lacks a creative midfield presence who operates as the most advanced in their midfield trio. They boast a selection of strong, box-to-box, and defensive midfielders, but they lack someone who can consistently unlock opposing teams or deliver exceptional set-pieces. In the long term, the club must search for a player with these qualities to improve their attacking options. But hey, at least the defensive portion of their midfield has been secured.