MX23RW : Thursday, May 20 00:24:03| >> :120:8715:8715:

Abdoulaye Doucoure determined to help Everton push for Europe

Abdoulaye Doucoure determined to help Everton push for Europe
© Reuters
Abdoulaye Doucoure is desperate to secure a place in Europe next season.

Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure plans to make the most of being given a chance to play out the remainder of the season.

The Frenchman feared his campaign was prematurely ended when he broke a bone in his foot in March.

However, he made his comeback 10 weeks later at Aston Villa on Thursday but the goalless draw damaged the club's European hopes.

Doucoure is desperate to secure a place in Europe next season and insists not winning their remaining two home matches, starting against relegated Sheffield United on Sunday, is not an option.

"It was a hard injury for me, the diagnosis was not so good at the beginning," he told evertontv.

"I was expecting that my season was finished but I did everything in my power to come back on to the pitch.

"My target was to come back before the end of the season and I'm happy to be back here and helping the team.

"We have an opportunity to get into Europe, so I was very happy and excited to come into the team.

"We have to win at home – we don't have any other option.

"The form at home has not been so good, but I think before the end of the season we can change that and can win the next two games."

Manager Carlo Ancelotti made European football the primary target at the beginning of the season but inconsistent form – Everton have won back-to-back league matches just once since December – has put that in jeopardy.

The club's woeful record at Goodison Park, where they have taken just 19 points from a possible 51, has put even more scrutiny on their next two fixtures at home.

"I think it is a good pressure to have. We are professional and we know pressure is part of our job," added Doucoure.

"We know the pressure is on us to be successful. Personally, I have always dreamed to play in Europe one day, so it would be huge for me to do that.

"This is the biggest opportunity I have had so I will do everything I can to help the team and be in Europe at the end of the season."

ID:447564: cacheID:447564:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3470:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Sander Berge in action for Sheffield United on October 31, 2020
Read Next:
Sheffield United's Sander Berge ruled out for rest of season
>

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City37265678324683
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd372011671432871
3Chelsea371910857342367
4Liverpool37199966422466
5Leicester CityLeicester372061166462066
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham371881159471262
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs371781264432159
8Everton37178124743459
9Arsenal371771353391458
10Leeds UnitedLeeds37175155953656
11Aston Villa37157155345852
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37129163550-1545
13Crystal Palace37128174164-2344
14Southampton37127184765-1843
15Newcastle UnitedNewcastle37119174462-1842
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton37914144044-441
17Burnley37109183354-2139
RFulham37513192751-2428
RWest Bromwich AlbionWest Brom37511213473-3926
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3762291963-4420

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!