Abdoulaye Doucoure is set to leave Watford after they were relegated (Getty Images)
According to The Mirror, Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has insisted that the club will allow him to move in the summer to a Champions League side.
The report also suggests that the French side Paris Saint-Germain and Premier League club Everton are interested in Doucoure, who aims to play in the Champions League next season.
Doucoure, 27, came through the youth ranks of Les Mureaux and Stade Rennes before moving to the Vicarage Road stadium in 2016. He was immediately sent to Granada on loan for six months. Despite struggling in the La Liga, he has been a consistent member of the Hornets squad since his return.
The Frenchman has made 129 appearances for the Hornets and has scored 17 goals while further setting up 11. He has ample experience under his belt and continues to be a crucial player for the club.
Meanwhile, Watford are fighting tooth and nail for survival in the Premier League despite doing well under Nigel Pearson. They are currently 19th in the league table – one place behind fellow relegation-threatened West Ham.
They have failed to register a win in the last four league games and are at risk of getting relegated from the Premier League. And the manager has a lot of work to do, with just 12 games left.
However, even if they secure promotion, they must keep their best players to challenge in the next season. And selling Doucoure would be a blunder.
The 27-year-old has been one of the best players under Pearson this campaign. He has contributed in both offensive and defensive situations and has had a hand in nearly all of the club’s positive results.
Despite being a defensive midfielder by trade, Doucoure has been brilliant in an advanced role in the last six games, scoring 3 goals. He is Watford’s joint second-highest goalscorer in the league with 4 goals.
The Frenchman has registered an average of 1.8 shots, 1.2 key passes, and 1.2 dribbles per game in the league, according to Whoscored.
Doucoure’s performances this term clearly indicate that he is one of the most important players for the club.
Therefore, the Hornets must not sell him and should make use of him at least until 2023 when his contract expires.
