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Doucoure Q&A: Lampard 'A Joy To Work With'

In a pre-match Q&A ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash at Aston Villa (12.30pm BST), Abdoulaye Doucoure discusses the challenge Everton will face at Villa Park, how Conor Coady has made an immediate impression, and why he is savouring the chance to learn from Blues boss Frank Lampard....

Abdoulaye, Everton go into the Villa game on the back of a positive performance but disappointing result against Chelsea last week. What will you take from that display?

As the manager said, we played a very good game. We deserved a draw, at least, but the small details made the difference. I gave away the penalty and I was very upset about that.

In general, I think the team worked well. If we can have the same ambition away from home, hopefully we can get a good result this weekend.

What sort of challenge do you expect against Villa?

Every game in the Premier League is very difficult and Villa Park is a tough place to go. They will be very motivated for their first home game of the season – to play in front of their fans. It will be a good test for us to see how we can react after last week. 


It was very distressing for everyone inside Goodison Park and watching at home to see Ben Godfrey suffer a serious injury in the Chelsea game. Have you been in contact with him?

Yes, I have seen him. He said the surgery went well. Ben is a strong guy and a strong character, so we wish him all the best and we will be alongside him all the way.

Yerry Mina also got injured last weekend, but do you feel the squad has the quality in depth to cope with their absences?

It is always disappointing to lose players like Ben and Yerry, but I think we have enough centre-backs to cover them.

We have just signed Conor Coady and he has settled in very, very quickly, like he has been here for years. And, of course, we also have Michael Keane, Mason Holgate and James Tarkowski. We have many good centre-backs.

You mentioned Conor, what do you feel he will bring to the team?

He is going to help us a lot this season. All the times I have played against him, he was a good character and very consistent.

We are very happy to have him in our team – he is a leader, like another of the new signings, James Tarkowski.

Finally, how much are you enjoying working with Frank Lampard and what have you learned from him?

Since he has been here, he has been fantastic. Everyone loves him. He has brought a very good mood to the training ground.

He has had a big, big career and, of course, that makes a difference. When he explains things, you can see he has a big knowledge of football.

I think he is a very smart manager and he knows the game very well. It is a joy to work with him.

Abdoulaye Doucoure
Everyone loves the manager. He has brought a very good mood to the training ground.