09/05/2025 47comments  |  Jump to last

Abdoulaye Doucoure has made it clear that he will not take a salary cut to extend his contract at Everton in a recent podcast. Doucoure’s deal is set to run out at the end of the season.

Instead of having his wages slashed, the 32-year-old midfielder believes he deserves a pay rise and that “maybe the chapter is finished” at Everton. “I don’t wait for them because my contract is finished and I have some offers on the table. In the next three weeks, I will make my decision. Everton is massive for me but maybe the chapter is finished. I would be happy, at the end of the day, if I leave the club,” he said on The Ben Foster Podcast.

Speaking with his former Watford teammate Ben Foster, Doucoure added, "It's funny because now I hear on especially X and Instagram that Everton fans were saying: 'We’d love Doucoure to stay but he has to lower his wages' and I'm amazed. Why are they talking about my salary? To be honest, I deserve to have my salary right now.

"And, to be honest, I won't reduce my salary to stay at the club because I don't think I deserve to reduce my salary. I'm playing every season, I'm scoring important goals, I'm very important for the club. No, I should have an increase. I’m only 33 years old and think I have three, four years easily in the Premier League. For me, to reduce my salary is something I will not do. I’m sorry.

“I hear a lot of things about my salary and I’m like: ‘Guys I see Mo Salah or Van Dijk they have a pay rise because they are playing good. OK I’m not at that level, Everton is not at the level of Liverpool but I’m sorry, I’m playing every game for five years. There were a couple of players playing for Everton, I’m sorry, on an even higher salary and not playing as much but people always spoke about me.”

Signed in 2020 from Watford, Doucoure has made 169 appearances for the Toffees in nearly five years. He has scored 21 goals and has helped the club battle relegation in recent years.

He is one of 15 players, including those on loan, who are out of contract in the summer.

The club opted not to trigger the option of an additional year on his contract.

 

Reader Comments (47)

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Neil Lawson
1 Posted 09/05/2025 at 15:37:12
Posted on the matchday report just before this story was added.

Be careful what you wish for. You will struggle to find any supporter who thinks you should stay and be paid the king's ransom you already have.

All about the money. I think that you may have upset/annoyed those supporters who believed just how keen and motivated to stay with us. Not true is it? Crocodile tears.

Sean Mitchell
2 Posted 09/05/2025 at 15:40:40
You've had your moments. But unfortunately, you're shite. You offer nothing. Maybe take up long-distance jogging… or jog on to Saudi.

New era. Leave the Moshiri mess behind, including most of the players such as Doucoure, who are holding the club to ransom.

Moshiri and the greatest ever Evertonian aren't there anymore to grant you your wish.

Mihir Ambardekar
3 Posted 09/05/2025 at 15:43:16
Fair play to him. He has scored some very important goals which has helped us stay up.

But for that salary, he is a very poor footballer in terms of ability and basic passing. He has been extremely poor this season despite scoring a few goals. He has lost pace as well and isn't as aggressive as he was few years back.

With the new stadium, a new Everton era begins. We have to replace these players with hard working but skilful players who can impact games consistently positive.

Ian Wilkins
4 Posted 09/05/2025 at 15:44:35
Everton's highest earner. Very average footballer (generous) who covers a lot of ground.

Beyond 30, best running years behind him.

He could have stayed on reduced salary as a squad player, but not on these terms. We can do better.

Joe McMahon
5 Posted 09/05/2025 at 15:53:47
He has played his part, and some very important goals. He can't compare himself to the 2 globally known players across the park though, more shirts with their names on than any Everton player.

No other club in Europe will pay him what Everton do. Saudi it is then.

Kevin Molloy
6 Posted 09/05/2025 at 15:57:30
He thinks he's worth over £100k a week, aged 33? Has he proven that sort of worth in the past?

Well, yes, to us he has. He's one of the very few players we've had who make a genuinely positive difference to the way we play. He's one of the very few successful purchases we've made.

You've only got to compare our win ratio with him in and him out of the side. Problem for him is his best attributes are shown when we don't have the ball. And that just doesn't float people's boats. And he's 33.

Sorry Doucs. He goes with our heartfelt thanks for being a top pro, but there's no way you're getting that money next season — even if compared with Mason Holgate and Michael Keane and the 20 other wasters, you've been worth your weight in gold.

Ryan Holroyd
7 Posted 09/05/2025 at 15:59:04
Moyes said in his presser re Doucoure, "He's no spring chicken and we need to make sure we have younger replacements."
Andy Duff
8 Posted 09/05/2025 at 16:02:26
I will forever be greatful for that goal against Bournemouth. That will go down in history.

If he wants more money good luck to him, I don't see anything wrong in what he's saying it's his opinion, time to say goodbye

Christy Ring
9 Posted 09/05/2025 at 16:10:19
We thank him for his contribution, and that huge goal against B’mouth, but at 33 and Looking for a contract above his £130k, wish him all the best in Saudi.
Dale Self
10 Posted 09/05/2025 at 16:10:59
Alright then, that settles that. Thanks for the crucial goals mate.
Kevin Naylor
11 Posted 09/05/2025 at 16:14:20
Think he should have kept his mouth shut and just said he can't agree terms. Going to leave now under a cloud.
Danny O'Neill
12 Posted 09/05/2025 at 16:19:37
My favourite wasn't the Bournemouth obvious.

His goal in the first minute at Brighton, followed by a second to put us 2 - 0 up en-route to a 5 - 1 win.

I didn't know at the time, but a certain Alexis Mac Allistar pulled one back for the Seagulls, but we were out of sight by then and McNeil thumped home the 5th.

Good luck to him, but if there was any chance of him staying at Everton, he's just talked himself out of it. He probably knew anyway.

Andy Crooks
13 Posted 09/05/2025 at 16:21:26
If only, like most of them, he would realise that thought out, articulate and intelligent comments are not his strength and, just shut the fuck up.
Many footballers give up a lot to make it. Unfortunately, they seem to hang on to a sense of entitlement and an utter like of awareness.
Mike Allison
14 Posted 09/05/2025 at 16:31:17
I don’t see any point blaming him for wanting to get paid a lot. I think I’d want to get paid a lot too.

I think a lot of fans don’t seem to realise why managers love him so much, as he’s one of the best players in the league out of possession, especially leading the press, closing down spaces and blocking passing lanes for opponents trying to build attacks.

However, as others have pointed out, the actual technical side of using the football makes him look pretty mediocre. I want us to move on to more technical players like Alcaraz and N’Diaye, even if it means losing a bit of the unappreciated work that Doucoure is so good at.

Ray Robinson
15 Posted 09/05/2025 at 16:50:11
Thanks for the service, Abdoulaye. I will remember you with affection and gratitude and thank you for your unstinting effort and infectious enthusiasm. But if you think you are worth £130k per week at this stage in your career, it really is time to move on. Best of luck in Saudi Arabia!

Forever grateful for that winner against Bournemouth,

James Marshall
16 Posted 09/05/2025 at 16:58:58
I want more money in my job as well, and I already do alright.

There's nothing wrong with wanting a few quid, regardless of how high your wages are - being paid £100k a week or whatever he gets, doesn't stop you wanting more. It's a consequence of living in a capitalist society.

He's a footballer so he gets a lot of stick, but he's not doing anything the rest of us wouldn't in the same situation.

I don't rate him as a footballer - managers like him because he runs about a lot (see Jack Harrison)

Brian Williams
17 Posted 09/05/2025 at 16:59:43
He may not be willing to take a salary cut to stay at Everton but surely he'll have to to sign for another English club.

I certainly can't see another Premier League club offering him £130k a week.

Andrew Merrick
18 Posted 09/05/2025 at 17:52:30
A parting of the ways then.
Money has certainly damaged the game, one aspect of that is the disconnect with fans, one week of his wages would be life changing for so many...
A global wage cap on wages and agents commisions would be good eh?
Liam Mogan
19 Posted 09/05/2025 at 18:10:06
Brian 17 - think he'll probably be looking to Saudi for a final pay day?
Mike Gaynes
20 Posted 09/05/2025 at 18:29:56
That closes the door. Vaya con dios, Doucs. Thanks for the great memories.

Can't really blame him. Leaving Saudi-style money on the table would be impossible for most players. And very few would swallow the loss of face attached to the kind of salary reduction that's being suggested.

Martin Mason
21 Posted 09/05/2025 at 18:53:09
Mike@14 Absolutely correct and paying extra salary for an extension can sometimes be a better bet than replacement especially given how weak a squad that we have. A decision for the club though and I'm sure they will get it right.
Brendan McLaughlin
22 Posted 09/05/2025 at 18:54:12
Seriously who would take a pay cut if they didn't have too?

I get that the money football players are on is obscene but that isn't Abdoulaye Doucoure's fault.

I wish him well.

Robert Tressell
23 Posted 09/05/2025 at 18:57:06
Fair enough. I have often described him as a talentless athlete which is a bit harsh I know. He doesn’t half work hard though and fair play he’s made some superb contributions.

Good luck getting paid a fortune Abdoulaye.

Colin Glassar
24 Posted 09/05/2025 at 19:06:15
Almost a bigger PR car crash than Cashley Cole’s “car crash” when he was only offered 60 grand a week by Arsenal.

These modern day footballers are so incredibly disconnected from the real world it’s hard to believe. Surrounded by money grabbing agents, wags and hangers on telling them they’re the greatest thing since jammy dodgers were invented. No wonder they live in dreamland.

A man who can’t pass the ball, successfully, further than 5 yards to a team mate should be on £500 p/w max. Not a penny more.

Peter Mills
25 Posted 09/05/2025 at 19:28:18
I tried this tactic many years ago.

I was doing a job in a shop, and asked for a few more bob, at the same time as asking for some time off. Not my smartest move in life (to be fair, I was 13).

The boss said “I think you are looking to work for an hour a day, with an hour off for lunch. Off you pop”.

It stuck with me.

Paul Ferry
26 Posted 09/05/2025 at 19:48:45
Paper boy Dickinson's Peter?
Paul Ferry
27 Posted 09/05/2025 at 19:59:03
Ray Robinson (15): ‘But if you think you are worth £130k per week … ‘

But he doesn’t Ray: ‘No, I should have an increase. I’m only 33 years old and think I have three, four years easily in the Premier League’.

And he’s also either a lying twat or getting bad information: ‘There were a couple of players playing for Everton, I’m sorry, on an even higher salary and not playing as much’.

Loving the past tense.

You should also learn to shut your big mouth up lad when it might be the right thing for you to do. I suspect that most Evertonians want to see the back of this £130k mediocrity who runs around a lot and scores the odd goal. But now with this stream of deluded mammon shite a good proportion of them will be thinking of you less kindly.

There’s only one place you are going to Ab Lucre and you deserve each other.

Keep talking in the past tense please.

Peter Mills
28 Posted 09/05/2025 at 20:12:52
Bloody hell, Paul#26 - so close. Newsmag!
Paul Ferry
29 Posted 09/05/2025 at 20:16:44
Ha ha Peter! Newsmag what memories. Footy in the park and cold drinks all round after. Speaking of Dickinson's, do you remember the daughter divine Lyn? A stunner that sadly also-rans like me could only look at.
Scott Hamilton
30 Posted 09/05/2025 at 20:16:50
We should take Mo Salah’s salary as a starting point, divide it by the number of goals he’s scored and assists he’s created this season, then multiply it by Doucoure’s own stats.

I reckon he’d be taking a hefty pay cut.

Brendan McLaughlin
31 Posted 09/05/2025 at 20:19:34
Scott #30

Sounds like VAR for players wages...

Peter Mills
32 Posted 09/05/2025 at 20:22:07
Paul#29, of course I do, but I promised her I would not speak of it!

Dicko’s is now a very pleasant bar, “Around Eight”, occasionally frequented early doors on a Friday.

Brendan Fox
33 Posted 09/05/2025 at 20:23:15
Thanks Doucs for that goal against Bournemouth but sometimes somethings are just better left unsaid. You've said you think you are worth more to the club than they clearly do.

Good luck finding a team willing to pay you more than the £130k per week the club have been paying for a few goals per season for a middle-distance runner with little to no creativity and poor passing range.

Matt Byrne
34 Posted 09/05/2025 at 20:32:28
Close the door on your way out of Finch Farm. Three goals this season in essentially the second forward position.

Think Sheedy, Steven, Kanchelskis, Speed, Arteta. This is the level we need to aspire to.

Colin Glassar
35 Posted 09/05/2025 at 20:35:08
“He’s no spring chicken”. Au revoir, Duke.
Scott Hamilton
36 Posted 09/05/2025 at 20:39:26
OK, here's the maths:

• Salah's new contract = £400,000 per week

• Combined goals and assists 2024-25 = 46 (28 goals and 18 assists)

• Cost per goal/assist = £8,695.65

• Doucoure's goals and assists 2024-25 = 4 (3 goals and 1 assist)

• Based on Salah's contract and applying the same multiple, Doucoure should be on: £34,782.61 per week (£8,695.65 x 4)

In summary, fuck you, Doucoure.

Rob Halligan
37 Posted 09/05/2025 at 20:43:38
I doubt he’ll play tomorrow!! 😄😄
Brendan McLaughlin
38 Posted 09/05/2025 at 20:47:45
Rob #37

Obviously he'll lose out to "Mo".

Paul Ferry
39 Posted 09/05/2025 at 20:53:17
Always a gentleman, Peter.

Round Eight, just looked it up. Not been there Peter, we'll have to raise glasses to the blues next time I'm in L23 mate.

Peter Mills
40 Posted 09/05/2025 at 20:59:07
Paul, give me a shout.
Jay Evans
41 Posted 09/05/2025 at 21:00:24
Goodbye and good luck.

Not much more to say that hasn’t already been said above ….

… except one final point to add …

… this gentleman was responsible for getting 3 kopites sent off at the end of the last ever Goodison derby.

Count them.
Not one. Not two … but three of them.

That alone means he will always have my eternal thanks.

Brendan McLaughlin
42 Posted 09/05/2025 at 21:13:21
Jay # 41

Brilliant!

Josh Horne
43 Posted 09/05/2025 at 21:16:40
Watching Doucouré play is like observing entropy in motion: inevitable, irreversible, and messy. Even if he could control a football his undignified public rant should draw an immediate line under his Everton career. Next.
Dave Abrahams
44 Posted 09/05/2025 at 21:19:47
Jay (41), I think it would be have been a lot better if he had got three players sent off during the game—wasn’t much use after the game was over and two of them were non players.
Craig Scott
45 Posted 09/05/2025 at 21:54:32
It would appear the club as well as the fans don't believe you're worth the money you're being paid, mate.

Pity for you to leave believing you should be paid even more. You lose the chance of a dignified exit.

Thanks for your service. Bye Bye.

Brendan McLaughlin
46 Posted 09/05/2025 at 22:04:09
Craig #45

I'm sure that will haunt him for ....

Ernie Baywood
47 Posted 09/05/2025 at 22:07:49
Well at least we figured out his "personal problems". He's lost the plot.

If he thinks he's worth more and is prepared to stick to that then fair enough. He's not worth that at Everton but maybe someone else will pay him well.

Goodbye and Good Luck.


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