Doucoure has played and integral role in Everton’s solid start to their Premier League campaign, scoring two goals and registering three assists in six starts.

 

New Toffees boss Rafael Benitez has asked Doucoure to be more involved in attack this season compared to last season, which at the moment is paying dividends for the Merseyside giants.

 

 

Ex-top flight star Crooks had insisted he is not surprised with the way Doucoure has been playing for Everton this season, as he was outstanding in the Premier League for his former club Watford.

 

Everton have a clutch of key players sidelined with injury, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, and Crooks lauded them for snatching a creditable win against Norwich City in their latest outing despite their injury woes.

 

 

“I saw this lad [Doucoure] play for Watford and he was outstanding for them so I wasn’t the least bit surprised when he turned up at Goodison Park”, Crooks wrote in his BBC Sport column.

 

“Doucoure can run for fun and has the ability to score the occasional goal.

 

 

“When he does, they tend to be stunners.

 

“He was outstanding against a Norwich side who I have said on repeated occasions are doomed, but they did have a go at Everton.

 

“What was interesting about this performance by the Toffees was, considering a number of big names were out of the side through injury, they put together a very creditable performance.”

 

Doucoure will be determined to keep making attacking contributions as the season progresses, while Everton gear up to return to the pitch at the weekend with a top flight clash away at Manchester United next on the calendar.