Doucouré parks contract talks until the summer

Not the most suitable or considerate timing.

To keep recruiting players this poor season after season, for stupid money will keep us inside the relegation zone until we eventually go down.

Unless people have short memories, some of his poor passing in midfield has cost us games since he came.

At 30 yrs old, what other Premier League team would Doucoure get into while on £100K plus a week.

100% spot one, totally agree.

Irrespective of which league we end up playing in, the club is going to have to reduce an unsustainable wage bill and that surely means younger and cheaper going forward, rather than those seeking one last big pay day.

I'm no football manager, but I would assume it's the role the counts as much as the player. We just need someone doing that job, and Doucoure has been okay at it but not brilliant (until Monday of course).

Given his reported comment "To be honest, I don't know (if I want to stay)," I'd pack his bag.

I expect plenty of TWers could advise him if he asks (but no need to tell him until we have avoided relegation).

I'd give it to him for half his reported 𧴜k a week if we stay up as Dyche likes him and probably knows how to use him.

But his yellow card the other night for roaring at the ref about where a free-kick is taken from shows that he's a bit of a clown too.

Once that is decided Thelwell and Dyche can start to plan a squad that, hopefully, means we are not in this position next season.

Well the club and all Evertonians need more – another three performances like Monday please at least!

No matter what, he's certainly not worth 𧴜k a week (if this is true). I think he will end up at Fulham!

Basically, nothing you have is good, but if anything looks like it might become good, it will be instantly snatched away. Marvellous.

I'd then offer him a 2-year contract on less money, maybe 㿲k a week. If he then wants to try and get more money at 32, which I don't think he'll be able to, then let him try.

I'd happily see Onana in that role, or one of our own young players if Onana is sold in the summer. With the money for him, Gordon and Kean then surely we should have something to spend in the window!

His late runs getting on goals. He's now playing in his right position where he can hurt teams.

The managers playing him in defensive midfield, a two-man midfield, or asking him to pass, have totally misunderstood the player.

For me, I'd take up the year. If someone wants to put around 㾶M on the table, he can go – but I do think we have missed out on him.

Teams like Brighton & Brentford have shown that there are plenty of good hungry players out there if your recruitment team are shrewd enough to find them. David Moyes was pretty good at it too.

Hopefully he'll put in the same performance for the next 3 games, and then we can decide on his future.

He didn't suit at all the so-called style that Lampard wanted to implement. He is awful at retaining possession, and making simple give-and-go passes, and he's too rash in the tackle to sit deep.

What he does have is an ability to break with the ball at pace, make direct runs, and press from a higher position in midfield. He suits counter-attacking style football, and as such has suited 'Dycheball'.

He has been among the most improved players under Dyche.

Our financial situation will be a big factor. If we lose him, how will we replace? We don't exactly have funds available, and could even be sanctioned.

Davies will surely leave, and maybe Onana also.

Garner has looked great and hopefully a first-team fixture next season, Gana has been a mixture of 3/10 and 7/10 but he's the only ball winner we have. Beyond that, numbers are limited, so ideally Doucouré can stay for another season at least (so long as we do avoid relegation).

Also, anything we do in the transfer market, where we need a considerable amount done, probably requires sales.

So I'd prefer the likes of Davies, Iwobi, Gray, Maupay, Keane, Holgate, Mykolenko, Simms be sold for at least some level of fee that can be reinvested, rather than lose players on free transfers.

Oh and Lee #25, I firmly believe the Gordon and Kean money has firmly been placed in the same bank account alongside the Arteta money.

"Now, tell us how you feel about the rest of your time here?”

I'd hope we'd be aiming for better in that kind of role. For most of his Everton career he's been very underwhelming.

It's a recipe for disaster if not addressed for next season, regardless of the league we're in.

The reality for us is that we will want to be sure of avoiding relegation before we trigger the extra year, so there is a necessary limbo for both parties right now. If we are a Premier League side next year then I am confident the extra year will be triggered, at which point Doucouré and his team will be angling for an extension. Who knows what position we might be in by then, in terms of ownership/investment/potential sanctions/penalties.

Any 30-year old footballer knows that they are potentially negotiating their last big contract so will want 3 years minimum - and options of extra years with certain triggers. If Doucouré does not get those terms from us, at the wage level he thinks he is worth, then he'll be a good free transfer for a lot of clubs across Europe who might have more financial leeway than we currently have - especially if he is fit and performing at a decent level.

You're not a young player, don't get fucking cocky. If we survive and you go, Thank you, Doucouré.

He is long striding and covered a lot of ground in a short space of time – and his finish was absolutely top class.

Let's just focus on staying up first.

You have to look at his performances on the round over the period of his contract and consider if he has delivered value for his salary. Personally, I don't think so but Dyche seems to like him.

He was really unprofessional against Spurs getting the red and could have derailed our season – he still might. He was lucky he didn't receive the same when he got involved in a tussle against Leeds.

Finances will decide this, but I think we will activate his 1-year extension so that we receive a fee for him if we decide to let him leave in the summer.

I fully understand why Everton are waiting given impending relegation and the financial situation. But not sure how fair that is on the player who is trapped between ‘Come and get me' and ‘Sign me up for one more year'.

Secondly, Garner is a passer who keeps things moving, not as box-to-box as Doucoure. Speed to cover the amount of ground is not the same.

Also, there could be a big offer coming in for Onana and we might have to cash in. Therefore we would have Davies, whose contract is also finishing. Gomes still has 1 year with us, I think. But we might want to move him if possible.

I think a year extension makes sense from the club's perspective.

Doucouré suits Dyche. He suits a team that wants minimal possession. He's not gonna pop the ball around with accuracy and inspiration for 90 minutes but he will make a lung-busting run to get on the end of a cross or even make a last-ditch tackle. We've missed him.

Is he worth 𧴜k a week? Almost definitely no.

Would he probably cost at least 㾸M to replace when we are short of money and have other areas to address? Almost definitely yes.

If we stay up and Dyche (presumably) stays on, then he will surely get his 1-year extension triggered. Beyond that, he'd need to accept a much lower wage as most box-to-box players who rely on athleticism will start to lose effectiveness in their early 30s.

Stay up or go down, there's going to have to be major changes...if not, well there should be.

Best for both Employer and Employee(s) to leave it until June.

Need I point out, still three games left with all to play for. Feet need to be firmly on ground. No assumptions.

Get lost Doucoure you've been a massive part of the problem untill our last few games.

It was the same Anthony Gordon he put a few performances together and then he too suddenly became Billy big bollocks

Despite Sean Dyche saying these contract discussions can wait I am sure he must have given an indication to certain players that he would like them to stay. But as many point out we do need to reduce our wage bill, and the only way to do that is for some of the big earners to go. Even though I am confident that we will stay up, I could still see Pickford and possibly DCL moving on, and if rumours are right Onana is on some clubs radar. I think next season will see Dyche assembling a suad he wants as so far he hasnt bought anyone.

If Doucoure decides to move on because nothing is agreed over the next two and a bit weeks, so be it. He is a limited player who can make a contribution if the team is set up in a particular way.

Believe me Everton FC will survive his departure.

Thankfully, we can get some more of the non performers out the door at the season end and by this time next year we will be saying goodbye to more of the deadwood. We might at that stage see some financial light at the end of very dark tunnel.

Don't forget a transfer ban or a points deduction could yet come our way down the line.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65549007

I'm not saying that Walsh would've created a fantastic squad, but it would have surely been infinitely more balanced had Farhad and Bill kept their fucking noses out. We're now several years down the line and I don't think they've learned one single lesson.

As for Duke, he's into his 30s so unless he's willing to take a pay cut (unlikely) I think we should be looking for better. He's not a home grown player either. Then again we need to be letting the likes of Davies go (contract ends this season I think), so we do need to make sure we have decent depth.

Squad needs a pretty big overhaul to add depth, pace and quality across most positions. Really something to leave to season end as well as which players we can shift out. If Dyche is staying next season, he needs to be able to bring in players he wants and get rid of those he doesn't.

I can see a good 6-7 players being let go in the summer. Most I won't shed a tear over. Even Mina, good player but massively injury prone and on a massive contract. We need new players in almost every position.

He has been excellent.

Is it because he has been played in the wrong position, didn't suit the style of play or simply because his contract is up and he has decided to put some effort in?

Which version of Doucouré will we see once the contract situation is resolved is the dilemma.

This is the legacy issues of Kenwrights Everton that need to expunged as soon as possible. Caceido cost Brighton £5m. Where were we? Oh that's right, pissing the trainset money up the wall on any old shite Chairman Bill and / or the owner thought were good players, and paying them a fortune that we could barely afford.

We need to be more worried about a proper professional and functioning new board more than keeping the likes of Doucoure (who I like by the way).

If you're writing Duke off and claim thathe isn't needed arent you expressing full faith in Dyche?

The point being Doucoure was/is essential to this functional Everton side. His strengths are what make it work not Garner's. Yes Garner improves on Onana but it is the pressure from the forward line that is crucial. If he goes you are implicitly backung Dyche to recreate this system with a transfer.

You could have used Donkey Goatee, as in Don Quixote, when he was struggling to find Thee 11.

We have developing youngsters like Warrington, Cannon and Mills to name but a few and if we keep Nkounkou he would make a good wingback so apart from a really good striker (Please not Che Adams) our needs are not that great provided we stay in the Prem.

I thought Everton played more effective and quick- one and two touch football, - than they have played for years on Monday night, and I believe this type of style definitely suits Doucoure a lot more, than when he's got time on the ball?

Bergovic, Lonergan, Mina, Coleman, Vinegre, Coady, Davies, Townsend.

Other than Bergovic for back up 'keeper, I'd be happy to see all the above off the wage list. Other than Coleman, they've not really contributed that much in any case so won't be a huge loss. Coleman has been great but he really needed replacing about at least 1-2 years ago. He's 35 in October so great to keep as back up on a reduced contract but shouldn't be first choice next season imo. (That's also assuming/hoping he recovers fully from his injury.)

Mina is supposedly on £120k/week (£6.24m/year). All the players out of contract make up about £300k on the weekly wage bill.

That's before including Doucoure with his 1 year extension. Duke is also supposedly on £120k/week. Duke, Mina and Iwobi being our highest paid players on £120k/week each - make of that what you will.

Assuming we don't need to pay any signing on/extension fee, whilst Doucoures wages are high, we'd need to pay a transfer fee to replace him if he left. Something else to consider.

Apparently Keane's on £80k/week and Holgate £70k/week - happily sell both and give Dyche more play room to sign other players.

Let's stay up first though!

Agents and pundits don't give a damn and will be pedalling their usual nonsense. Nothing should distract from the job, anything at all that makes us lose 1% of focus on the football side will be damaging. Bet your bottom dollar Leeds, Leicester and Forest will be full on to get some points at the weekend. We need to be at it too.

His injury record, pedigree and age tell you not realising the cash is a poor deal.

His £6m a year should be reinvested in a younger player that isn't injured, scores more and has a resale value - and not three years from being retired.

The same goes for Iwobi. Yes they are experienced, but that experience hasn't contributed much at £6m per season each. Look at Brighton...

How we perform has a lot to do with how the opposition set up and play.
It seems to suit us when teams play on the front foot and we can hit them on the break.
When teams come to Goodison and its up to us to be the attacking/offensive team, we struggle.
Thats not going to be a problem against City because they are going to be coming at us, but Pep will be well aware now what we can do on the break and wont be all gung ho.

The betting is almost identical to when we played Brighton, and again as before we are not a 15/2 shot in my book.
I doubt Pep will think they are 1/3 to win either, they wont fancy coming to Goodison they will look at the game as a banana skin.

So, 2 swallows still doesn't make a summer but more encouraging than 1!

Too true mate we can, will and have survived better players than him leaving.

It's not the 'leavers' who have caused our recent problems - It's those who arrived and those who stayed on and Didn't leave

*looks pointedly at the Boardroom.

We may as well start the cull. If we go down it will be a blood bath.

For too long Everton have had a poor bench, with mediocre players sometimes called upon to replace our slightly better first team players. I, and probably many others, know that previous Directors of Football and managers have bought and brought in some very poor players into our club, hence our continuing struggles.

What did most of the fans say before this season started? We need a striker or strikers. It's not rocket science. However, I have a gut feeling that once again we are having to ‘Make do' with some of our squad and Dyche, will find himself in an intolerable situation (like he did at Burnley), where he knew that players needed replacing and yet he wasn't supported by the board.

The close season, whether we survive, or get relegated will define the future of the club, the manager and the players. More of the same from past seasons is not acceptable.

Very interesting, this also points to a massive lack of professional focus, imo. Completely staggering really, but it definitely helps me understand why this current Everton squad, have often had me having schizophrenic thoughts, whenever I think about our team.

Mick Doherty went off to Chelsea a while back.

We have had some good people scouting for us.

7 different managers, 3 directors of football and 2 clowns running the shop haven't helped or brought stability.

Then elation set in again with dreams of glory emanating from my lunatic mind. I even had a dream that we came from behind to draw with City 4-4. Goodison was rocking. Such is the life of an Evertonian but I wouldn't swap it for anything.

We will be great again.
Up the Blues.

Its ok talking about getting rid of the likes of Doucoure but we have to find players that are at least as good as him, they don't grow on trees.

If Calvert-Lewin had been fit for more games this season we wouldnt be in this scrap now.
Or If they had found a decent replacement for him when one was obviously needed, again we wouldnt be fighting to stop in the division.

Looking at how Liverpool have operated in the transfer market for years, I'd be very surprised if they didn't get anything between £20-25 million, for Kelleher, although this will depend on how long he has remaining on his contract?

You will definitely get a much different perspective of everything once you start attending the game on a more regular basis Martin, so I'm glad you have been getting to a few more games mate.

Nkounkou is leaving, I doubt we'll see Branthwaite in an Everton shirt again either so talk of selling Mykolenko is ridiculous.

Our level will be free transfers, maybe the likes of Amartey & Lerma with a possible punt on Traoré... if we're lucky.

We certainly don't have the financial muscle to buy a striker similar to DCL so we'll spend half of next season integrating Simms & Cannon.

Our Club is run by muppets who thought Besic was a better and more expensive investment than Aderwiereld and Haaland was too expensive at £5m.

My current level of expectancy is zero.

I'll leave that one with you all 😐

For that we need reliable centre back options, 3 players competing week in week out. Tarkowski, Branthwaite and an other in ideally. All of Keane, Godfrey, Coady, Holgate and Mina should not be part of that.

But I like Mina, cause he is so good and his personality on the pitch is something we lack, and despite him being cast aside and not used for a single minute under Dyche, he has clearly not let up in training, no slacking or saying 'whatever, I'll be gone in the summer'. When he stepped up on Monday, he showed he had clearly been waiting for his chance and was fully prepared, no rustiness, no lack of fitness. Fair play to him for that, many player would have thrown in the towel.

3 more performances like that and he'll be remembered fondly.

That means astute decisions have to be made to keep hold of those who might not be top of their game but can make a difference - or sell some for a high price to generate funds for transfers.

This is where being relegated would have killed us as a club as reduced income from the league plus high wages and losing players would mean we have even less £££ to put back into the club - if any. We're a club on the cusp of bankruptcy yet talking about letting a player go without the means of replacing them.