What will Cheick Doucoure bring to Crystal Palace’s midfield?

The Lens midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to link up with Patrick Vieira’s side.

Cheick Doucoure was one of Ligue 1’s most coveted players during the 2021-22 season as Lens finished seventh in the league just four points off the European qualification places.

The 22-year-old is reportedly a big target for Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira ahead of the new season. The Eagles will have to deal with the absence of their star player from last season, Conor Gallagher, whose loan spell finished at the end of the 21/22 season.

Doucoure’s arrival will be the first major signing of the summer for Palace after they signed Malcolm Ebiowei from Derby County on a free transfer.

Let’s take a look at what the numbers say about the soon-to-be Crystal Palace midfielder.

Box to box player

Doucoure’s profile as a player is that of a number 8, someone who thrives as a box to box presence and not limited to either defensive or attacking responsibilities.

Although attacking is not high on his list of duties as a number 8, Doucoure is unafraid to drive forward to support the attack with runs off the ball as and when necessary. In Lens’ 3-4-1-2 system, he played alongside Seko Fofana who was more of an all action midfielder for the side.

Because of that, Doucoure was the perfect complement to Fofana who often enjoyed going forward in search of space to create chances. According to the Analyst, Fofana had the most chance creating carries in Ligue 1 for Lens (50), meanwhile Doucoure had 22.

Progressor and disruptor of possession

Doucoure’s strengths in and out of possession were crucial for Lens last season. The Mali midfielder is comfortable commanding the ball and driving possession upfield for his team from deeper areas, often on the counter-attack.

According to Statsbomb via FBref, Doucoure averaged 6.87 progressive carries per90 during the season, a highly impressive figure. When compared to his positional peers across the top five leagues for that metric, Doucoure was in the 93rd percentile which goes to show just how effective he is when placed in the right system to play to his strengths.

In terms of his defensive work as well, Doucoure is not lacking. He averaged nearly 4.89 Tackles+Interceptions per90 last season and is more than willing to put in a defensive shift as that was his primary role at Lens during the 21/22 season.

These numbers underline his strengths as a box to box midfielder.

How will he fit in at Palace?

With Gallagher out of the picture at Palace now, there is a clear void for a box to box midfielder who can do a bit of everything and that is where Doucoure comes into the picture.

Last season, Vieira fielded a midfield three with Cheikhou Kouyate and James McArthur alongside Gallagher on the right and Doucoure should slot into that right sided role of the midfield three quite comfortably.

With a fully fit squad available to call upon for the upcoming season for Vieira, it may even be that Doucoure may not need to contribute as much in an offensive sense because of the presence of the likes of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise who will be the primary outlets in attack for Palace.

Doucoure played 34 games for Lens last season and scored once and made four assists for Lens in his fourth season running for the club.

Gallagher was a pivotal part of Palace’s success and growth in the league last season and retaining him was always going to be a big ask, however, in Doucoure, they may have found the nearest next best thing.