Frank Lampard SLAMMED by Premier League star

Cameron Smith

• 21 Jul 2023 13:39 BST
• 3 min read

Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has criticised Frank Lampard for ignoring him during the Englishman’s tenure at Goodison Park.

Doucoure, 30, started just two Premier League games under Lampard last season, but was a key figure under new boss Sean Dyche and netted five goals and provided two assists in his final 10 appearances of the campaign - including the only goal in a 1-0 win over Bournemouth on the final day, which secured survival for Everton.

The two-time capped Mali international was close to leaving the Toffees in January after he and Lampard had an altercation after a 2-1 home loss to Southampton, but he remained at the club and Lampard was soon replaced by Dyche.

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What has Doucoure said?

“It was hard because it was the first time in my career that I didn’t play as much as I want, especially for reasons I don’t know,” Doucoure told The Athletic.

“I was one of the fittest players in the team and someone who always gave everything, so to not be able to help the team in bad moments when we were losing many games in a row was so hard.

“If the previous manager had stayed a few weeks more, I would have been gone.

“It was impossible to not play for a year, but I think with him that was the plan. Even if I was training well and fresh, I don’t think he’d put me in the team. It was like he had something personal against me.

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“I knew if the club changed manager, I would get a chance again. So I had to keep my head down, waiting for my chance and it worked well. I was happy to be the one to score the goal to help the team stay up.

“It was a long season with low and high moments. For me personally, it was a challenge but it helped me to grow and achieve more success. Since the new manager came in, there was a lot of hard work from everyone and we deserved to stay up.

“I was very close [to leaving] but was happy to stay and help Everton.”

Doucoure was immediately placed in the starting XI when Dyche arrived and remained a consistent figure under the former Burnley boss.

“He [Dyche] didn’t say anything special - just keep doing my thing - and he gave me my chance,” Doucoure admitted. “I think they [Dyche and his coaching staff] were all surprised I wasn’t playing, to be honest. I’d been in the Premier League for six or seven years and everyone knows me.

“I think I was one of the guys on the team he wanted to rely on.”