Cheick Doucoure, Crystal Palace’s 23-year-old Malian midfielder, has been making waves in the Premier League. His performances have piqued the interest of not only experts and fans, but also some of Europe’s greatest teams. Doucoure’s progression from Lens to Crystal Palace, and now to Liverpool and PSG, is a credit to his talent and hard work.
DOUCOURE’S DETAIL DOMINANCE
Doucoure’s statistics reflect a player who succeeds on both the defensive and offensive sides of the ball. His per 90 statistics reflect a player who is not only participating in the game but also has a substantial influence on it.
Doucoure’s defensive prowess is demonstrated by his 2.5 tackles and 1.83 interceptions per 90 minutes, which place him in the 74th and 97th percentiles among players in his position, respectively. A significant component of his game is his ability to read the game and disrupt the opposition’s play.
Doucoure attempts 40.53 passes per 90 minutes and completes them at an 83.2% rate. His ability to keep possession of the ball and pass it properly is an important aspect of his game. In addition, he makes 4.55 progressive passes per 90 minutes, demonstrating his ability to propel the team forward.
Doucoure’s offensive statistics may not leap out, but they do reflect a player that contributes to the team’s attacking performance. While his non-penalty goals per 90 minutes are low at 0.0012, his non-penalty expected goals (xG) are 0.0528, indicating that he gets into favorable situations and might enhance his goal tally with improved finishing.
Doucoure’s statistics show him to be a well-rounded midfielder who succeeds on both the defensive and offensive sides of the ball. His performances have piqued the interest of some of Europe’s most powerful clubs, and it’s easy to see why. His defensive stability, passing abilities, and contribution to the club’s offensive play make him a tremendous asset to any squad.
THE MAESTRO OF MIDFIELD
Doucoure’s performances have received appreciation from a variety of sources. According to one unknown Premier League coach,
“He’s very effective and powerful in the tackle.” The only thing he possibly lacks is goal scoring ability, but his overall contribution is enormous.”
His Crystal Palace teammate mirrored same concerns, saying,
“He’s an important member of our team.” His effort rate and skill to win the ball back are unrivaled.”
