Carlo Ancelotti has publicly expressed his gratitude for Marcel Brands’ decision to recommend Abdoulaye Doucoure as a top Everton transfer target.
According to the Liverpool Echo, Ancelotti was keen to inject ‘energy’ into his midfield.
Having previously worked with summer signing Allan at Napoli, Ancelotti appears to have personally cherry-picked Allan as a main target, but ex-Watford bulwark Doucoure was a target of Brands’ doing.
Ancelotti had identified then-Southampton enforcer Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg as his main target to complement Allan, but the player had made clear for some time he preferred a move to Tottenham Hotspur.
It was then that attention was turned to Doucoure, who Everton had bene targeting for over two years – and finally secured their man at the third time of asking.
Aided in part by the context of Watford’s relegation last season, Everton finally secured Doucoure in September for around £20 million. The midfielder signed a three-year-deal with the Toffees.
Doucoure’s contract will be extended by another 12 months if he reaches a certain number of appearances in an Everton shirt, but the club still have the option to trigger the clause early if they so choose.
Ancelotti has since expressed his delight with the summer acquisition:
“When we started to talk about the transfer window, Doucoure was on the list of the club,” Ancelotti confirmed.
“He was not on my list, but we talked together and we both agreed to sign him.
“I think it was, after six months, a really fantastic signing because Doucoure is playing really well.”
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The saga is indicative of the strong working relationship between Ancelotti and Brands.
With such an efficient recruitment infrastructure, Ancelotti’s delight proves faith must be continued to be placed in Brands’ eye for talent.
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