Doucoure and Delph out injured for at least a month

Thursday, 27 January, 2022 51comments  |  Jump to most recent

Abdoulaye Doucoure and Fabian Delph are expected to be out of action for at least the next month after suffering injuries.

Doucoure suffered his injury in the second-half of the 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday, while Delph was injured in training.

An Everton statement read: “Everton midfielders Abdoulaye Doucoure and Fabian Delph are expected to be out for a minimum of four weeks after sustaining injuries.

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“Frenchman Doucoure was forced off in the 65th minute of Saturday's Premier League match against Aston Villa at Goodison Park due to a groin problem.

“Subsequent tests have revealed the 29-year-old requires a period of rehabilitation under the care of Everton's medical staff at USM Finch Farm.

“Meanwhile, Delph sustained a thigh injury during a training session this week and is now undergoing treatment with the club's medical team.”

They join Tom Davies with long-term injuries after it appeared Everton's poor injury record was looking to improve, and it means Everton's manager will be faced with a shortage of players in midfield.

 

Reader Comments (51)

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Barry Hesketh
1 Posted 27/01/2022 at 10:13:12
With Doucoure now expected to miss the next four weeks, we really do need to add players to the midfield, not that we didn't before, quality wise, but it's now a question of bodies too. Am I right in thinking that Gomes and Allan are the only experienced midfielders we have available at the minute?
Ajay Gopal
2 Posted 27/01/2022 at 11:02:17
Paul, Doucoure and Delph (cough, cough) will both be out for a 'minimum' of 4 weeks.

Considering that Benitez had mentioned that Davies will be out for 8 weeks (that means another 6 weeks from now at least).

Allan has just recovered from Covid and Gomes can only contribute well in the last 30 mins of a game when players are tired.

I can't believe that we are trying to sign another forward in addition to El Ghazi who was already deemed excess in an area where we are well stocked.

Will the new manager will play an innovative 4-0-6 formation with a front 6 of Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison, Gray, Gordon, Dele Alli, El Ghazi? It would be a lot of fun - we either win 7-5 or lose 3-8 or something like that.

If we don't strengthen the midfield, it does not matter if Guardiola or the tea lady is the coach, we will get relegated.

Mick O'Malley
3 Posted 27/01/2022 at 11:36:55
Another kick in the goolies. We definitely need a couple of midfielder's brought in this week, we need a manager appointment ASAP cos it seems to be a rudderless ship at the moment.

Time for the young lads to step up?

Tom Bowers
4 Posted 27/01/2022 at 11:36:58
The chips are falling in all the wrong places after the Doucouré news. The poor midfield has been the problem all season and a fit Doucouré was the only positive in some games.

It's become a shambolic farce of a season.
Michael Lynch
6 Posted 27/01/2022 at 11:54:57
Gomes, Allan, Gbamin - our only fit/available midfielders now, with Davies, Doucoure and Delph long term injured, and he-who-cannot-be-named on police bail.

Not great is it? Gomes has looked slow and ponderous lately, and Gbamin is surely in his last days at Everton, having played only a handful of times.

Does it really matter who manages us at this point? He has one hand tied behind his back with the current squad. We definitely need a lucky manager more than we need a great manager.

Tony Everan
7 Posted 27/01/2022 at 11:59:51
Terrible news about Doucoure.

What are the board doing? We need two midfielders before Monday night or the risks of relegation are far higher. No matter who the manager is.

Get a manager in today. if it's Lampard get it done, he'll be backed and given a chance by the majority of supporters.

Get two central midfielders in who can bring energy, battle and are good on the ball. Loan them, buy them, do whatever is necessary. DO NOT LEAVE THIS UNTIL MONDAY. [If you do we will get stuffed up at the last minute and laughed at for being so naive].

We are sleep-walking into an unnecessary relegation battle, without the resources we need to fight it.

Come on the Everton board, it's time to make a decision today and turn 100% of the focus to the necessary midfield signings.

Derek Powell
8 Posted 27/01/2022 at 12:05:17
Doucouré was rushed back and this is the result. It shows how threadbare our squad is.

Why injury-prone Delph was ever bought is another question that needs answers…

Derek Knox
9 Posted 27/01/2022 at 12:05:49
The Treatment Room should really be called 'The Delph Suite'! :-)
Mike Doyle
10 Posted 27/01/2022 at 12:09:43
Tony #5,

Agree strongly. But what if Kia Joorabchian doesn't have 2 x available midfield player clients. What do we do then???

Bill Gienapp
11 Posted 27/01/2022 at 12:20:11
To be honest, Doucouré never really looked the same after the foot injury and probably rushed back too soon.

Onyango didn't look out of place when filling in on Saturday and could potentially be utilized in the coming weeks.

Paul Cherrington
12 Posted 27/01/2022 at 12:34:11
It goes without saying, this is a massive blow and leaves our midfield choices very limited. not great when this is where games are won and lost. and where we have been rubbish all season.

As others have said, we must get a couple of central midfielders in who have skill, durability and can control the centre of the pitch for us. if they could also manage to pass well and not give away possession every 5 minutes when under pressure it would be good.

Unfortunately, as seems the Everton way with transfers lately, we appear to be obsessed with stockpiling multiple players in the same position (ie, wide attacking players currently). we have not only needed a few decent centre mids for a while but also at least one new central defender.

without any new re-enforcements, we might have to look at Holgate in midfield again or take a chance on one of the young lads. Or bypass midfield altogether when playing!

Phil Smith
13 Posted 27/01/2022 at 12:36:53
Time to see Gabamin and Onyango a bit more. Doucoure was gash last game and should have been brought off before he picked up his injury. Anyone could see he was not his usual busy self.

How about bringing in Mata from Man Utd until the end of the season – or would that be Bernard Mk II?

John Graham
14 Posted 27/01/2022 at 12:39:39
Not good news about Doucoure, but maybe it will give us a chance to change the team around a bit.

Gordon has to start the next game so maybe move Townsend inside to sit in the middle with Allan, surely with his experience he could do a job there.

Think Doucoure is much better in a three anyway as it gives him licence to get forward a bit.
at least the cup game is first so we can try a few things out before Newcastle which is a must win.
COYB

Dermot O'Brien
15 Posted 27/01/2022 at 12:43:51
Very good, Derek #8,

Seriously though, what was the point in signing Delph? Why is he still here?

John Zapa
16 Posted 27/01/2022 at 12:46:08
Earlier in the month, it seemed the club wanted to send Allan on loan to Italy to get him off the payroll. They still might do that.
Jim Wilson
17 Posted 27/01/2022 at 12:49:48
The signing of two midfield battlers is a must. The reality is we must buy the best available to us. One on loan and the other bought.

We are in a relegation battle so we need players who will relish the battle. Maybe not the very best but players with character who could galvanise the players around them and create a good fighting spirit.

Kevin Prytherch
18 Posted 27/01/2022 at 12:53:36
I wouldn’t worry too much.

We can move Coleman to left back, Kenny at right back, Keane and Mina at centre back and Holgate and Godfrey in midfield.

We’ll strike fear into the hearts of everyone!!!

Dennis Stevens
19 Posted 27/01/2022 at 13:05:10
Aye Kevin, everybody apart from our opponents!
Stu Gore
20 Posted 27/01/2022 at 13:09:41
Gbamin and Onyango are going to have to play, which I hope will be a good thing, while Doucouré sits out.

Who's this “Delph” fella?

Danny O’Neill
21 Posted 27/01/2022 at 13:14:29
Delph injured? Nothing to see here.

Doucouré will obviously be a miss but clearly wasn't 100% when he came back, but was needed.

Not that we didn't need it anyway, but a midfield enforcer required.

Opportunity for Warrington to get near the squad?

Jim Wilson
22 Posted 27/01/2022 at 13:17:43
Kevin,

I actually think Coleman would relish playing just in front of a back 4, breaking up attacks and pushing the team forward.

Nicholas Ryan
23 Posted 27/01/2022 at 13:28:03
Onyango; Todd Cantwell from Norwich, and on a purely short-term basis, Johnny Lundstram from Glasgw Rangers!
Steavey Buckley
24 Posted 27/01/2022 at 13:37:07
Moshiri should hurry up and appoint Lampard as the only viable option. The transfer window closes next Monday at 11pm. Frank Lampard is bound to attract someone for midfield because Everton are running out of options with a long injury list.

Although, the centre-half position is a contentious position because Mina always gets injured since his legs are made of glass. Unfortunately, there is nobody else as good as him when he does play.

Derek Knox
26 Posted 27/01/2022 at 14:20:44
Danny @ 20, good shout on Warrington, I have watched as many U-23's Games as possible, and that kid does look decent amongst a few others.
Jerome Shields
27 Posted 27/01/2022 at 14:25:39
I think Doucoure had not been fully recovered from his previous injury, though he came back and played. This could explain his below power performances. As for Delph, never should have been a Everton player.
Ashley Roberts
28 Posted 27/01/2022 at 14:28:37
Let’s not down play this. This is a disaster at totally the wrong time. If we do not bring in at least 2 midfielder’s before deadline day I hate to see what the consequences will be. We were already crying out for reinforcements in this area before Doucoure got injured. Not sure who is scouting potential options at this stage. You could not make this crap up. What a dire situation we are in.
James Marshall
29 Posted 27/01/2022 at 15:08:48
Don't worry, we'll have Frank Lampard at the helm and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in midfield before Monday.
Duncan McDine
30 Posted 27/01/2022 at 15:31:39
I said at the time that we were too hasty in getting rid of Mark Pembridge. Now we’re proper fecked
Frank Crewe
31 Posted 27/01/2022 at 15:35:00
The best way to keep Delph fit is to not let him play, train or do anything that involves moving at all. Because any form of physical exertion immediately leads to him injuring himself. End of his contract can't come soon enough.
Danny O’Neill
32 Posted 27/01/2022 at 15:46:42
I think if Lampard brings his boots, he's in with a chance of a start.
Jerome Shields
33 Posted 27/01/2022 at 15:51:49
Danny#31

If only. Exactly what is needed. If he brought his Dad as well even better.

Eddie Dunn
34 Posted 27/01/2022 at 16:08:21
Reading that Donny van de Beek is having talks with Palace. This guy is just what we need – what is going on at HQ?
Ajay Gopal
35 Posted 27/01/2022 at 16:14:06
Where is Mo Besic when you need him?
Jay Harris
36 Posted 27/01/2022 at 16:23:47
If Gbamin is not up to it now we need to get shut pronto and get someone in that is.

All the games from now on will be high intensity so we need a strong aggressive MF but thereagain we have been saying that for years and we ended up with Delph and Gomes.

Jim Bennings
37 Posted 27/01/2022 at 16:27:59
No way on god's green earth can we pair Gbamin and Onyango in a white hot six pointer at Newcastle, or the home game against Leeds for that matter.

We don't realise how much we miss central midfield players that contribute goals or assists.

We have probably missed Sigurdsson and James Rodriguez more than we anticipated as this season has worn on.

The pesky injuries that Doucoure and Allan pick up regularly now are becoming problematic, whilst Gomes and Gbamin permanently run like they are carrying a wagon on their back.

For me a loan deal for Ross Barkley is a complete no-brainer now, if it works for him then great, if it doesn't then he goes back to Chelsea.

Paul Birmingham
39 Posted 27/01/2022 at 16:56:39
Derek, spot on.🤣

But the transfer window is closing soon, will Everton get the midfielders in that are needed or will they buy top ups, that army needed like El Ghazi?

Faulty Towers on steroids is the Everton board.

Bill Gienapp
40 Posted 27/01/2022 at 18:55:22
Eddie (33),

Van de Beek on loan has a lot of potential. Benitez supposedly didn't fancy him, but he's gone. Unfortunately, Brands did fancy him, and, well, he's gone too.

Tony Heron
41 Posted 27/01/2022 at 18:59:39
Delph out for 4 weeks, oh God no!
Erm. who's Delph?!


Justin Doone
42 Posted 27/01/2022 at 19:31:00
It's been said many times, the midfield is the engine of any team.

Gbamin, Delph injury write-offs.
Davies, Doucouré, Allan and Gomes injury concerns.

How can we do anything when we have to rebuild the engine every week because of injuries. There isn't a single midfielder we can rely on to play 5 or 6 games in a row.

Play Townsend in the midfield and tell 2 others (anyone not injured) to stay deep and defend.

We need 2 midfielders who are up for a challenge. Van de Beek isn't up to it, I'd rather have Lingard. Loftus-Cheek? Yes; Barkley? Yes; Longstaff? Yes.

Mike Gaynes
43 Posted 27/01/2022 at 19:38:32
How fit is Lampard?

Seriously, I'd suggest moving Townsend into the middle. Yes, normally a winger, but an efficent and knowledgeable defender who can maintain his composure on the ball.

Dennis Stevens
45 Posted 27/01/2022 at 19:51:10
Surely, Iwobi should be back soon to form a midfield diamond with Allan, Gbamin & Gomes - silk & steel, the perfect blend!
Michael Boardman
46 Posted 27/01/2022 at 19:56:39
Van de Beek is having discussions with The Palace – they'd rather anyone ahead of Prince Harry Markle.

If Gbamin is anywhere near your top 5 fittest midfielders, never mind players, you know there's an issue. But no fear, we have Tomas Muller, this young hungry buck, eating £300k-a-week, so we'll be fine for 17th.

To be honest, if Chris Wood is all the barcodes can get, I'm more arsed about Watford catching us now they have Woy.

Michael Boardman
47 Posted 27/01/2022 at 19:58:04
More interested in Sapphire and Steel Dennis...McCallum and Lumley would be a dream team at the moment
Dennis Stevens
48 Posted 27/01/2022 at 19:59:50
Probably be more effective as well, Michael!
Chris Hart
49 Posted 27/01/2022 at 20:20:36
We are cursed!
Justin Doone
50 Posted 27/01/2022 at 21:13:22
Muller whilst in his 30's is still a top class player.

He's technically excellent, can create and score and isn't afraid to mix his game up and put a good shift in.

Plus, he is also an excellent winner of free kicks and penalties.

But £300k/wk... forget that.

Ian Bennett
51 Posted 27/01/2022 at 21:22:47
Ballack and Schweinsteiger were both fine players, but neither did anything in the Premier league at the tail end of their careers.

That said our current midfield is shite, so Stephen Hughes, John Collins and Claus Thomsen would look like world beaters.

Kieran Kinsella
52 Posted 27/01/2022 at 21:27:24
Muller isn't coming. He is a regular at Bayern. He said, when linked with Man Utd and at the time out of favour, that we wanted to stay there for his whole career. Why the heck would he leave now to come to Everton?
Paul Birmingham
53 Posted 28/01/2022 at 00:05:40
Brentford and get the win.

Then a must win for all reasons v The Barcodes.

It’s now or not likely, if Everton don’t beat Newcastle at St James.

The first of a few 6 pointer games, to see this season out, but staying up, hopefully.

Jack Convery
54 Posted 28/01/2022 at 15:17:11
Against Brentford, if no new signings are made I'd go
Begovic

Patterson, Keane, Godfrey, Mylolenko

Allan, Holgate, Gbamin ( Gomes sub for last 30 minutes)

Gordon, Richy ( Capt), Grey. ( subs DCL / Townsend during last 30mins).

We cannot afford an injury to Pickford. DCL not up to 90 mins yet. We need to know how good Patterson & Mylolenko are and they need to know what its like to play at Goodison in a FA 3rd Rd. We also need to know if Gbamin can give us anything at all. Holgate has to be tried again as a DM because we are running out of options in midfield. Gomes looks best as a sub for 30 minutes.


Phil Bickerstaff
56 Posted 28/01/2022 at 19:18:25
Sure we were looking at Diaz last season and the beginning of this
Joke club
Can’t get anyone decent to manage us
No players are interested
We need a decent centre half, world class midfielder and a decent CF.
DCL isn’t interested in Everton, his mind is elsewhere
Shit CF anyway
All the clubs who need reinforcements for the second half are the season are buying
What are we doing

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