New Crystal Palace signing Cheick Doucoure analysis, expert opinion, Conor Gallagher comparison and much more

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Crystal Palace have announced Cheick Doucouré as their third summer extra, signing the midfielder from RC Lens for a fee of around € 18m plus potential additions.

Welcome to Palace, Cheick Doucouré ❤️💙#CPFC

– Crystal Palace FC (@CPFC) July 11, 2022

The 22 – year – old Malian midfielder enjoyed a strong season in Ligue 1, with a star alongside Seko Fofana in the Lens engine room and his side finishing 7th, just four points away from European football for this season.

But, for many Palace fans, the pre – season will be their first chance to see their new signature in action, so what kind of player are they really chips out for?

Statistical analysis

At 22, Doucouré has plenty of time to be molded into whatever Crystal Palace thinks fit to do, but at Lens he played primarily as the most conservative midfielder of the two.

As for the French attacking team, Doucouré was tasked with sitting deep, picking the ball up from all three goals and finding the backs or his midfielder Seko Fofana, who got far more roaming licenses ahead.

Unlike his teammate, however, Doucouré preferred to advance the ball for his run rather than carry it directly himself, keeping his passing range relatively short. Last season, he averaged only 0.79 dribbles per 90 minutes completed, but was attempting six “progressive passes” in the same time period.

With a little help from Lens’ style of play, Doucouré manages 4.89 terrible tackles and interceptions per game, slightly less than the number sent by Declan Rice from West Ham (5.06), and more than midfielder Thomas Partey’s Arsenal (3.9).

And Ligue 1 expert Jeremy Smith The Mali international believes he has all the tools to succeed in the Premier League.

“He’s always got a rating but he’s always gone a little off the radar. It’s not a huge name, but he’s only 22 years old and he’s that experience so I think it’s a good move, “he said. 101.

“Occasionally there are small problems with concentration and posture but I think that’s the kind of situation where you are more likely to improve through experience than anything else. I think it’s a good learning curve. ”

How does he compare to Gallagher?

In short, they are very different players. Conor Gallagher was a huge fan favorite during his loan spell at Selhurst Park last summer, with his all – round style wearing down South London vests.

Doucouré could do the same, but in a very different way. He is much less likely to reach crucial goals (he only has 3 in 67 appearances in the Ligue 1), and as mentioned above prefers an important pass to a key-dribble.

“I wouldn’t call it creative,” Smith explained. “He’s a smart player who wants to free someone else so that player can then get a key pass.”

Gallagher, on the other hand, was much more direct, and was given much more freedom than Doucouré probably gave Patrick Vieira. In fact, it would probably be more appropriate for a Chelsea man to compare Seko Fofana, a former Doucouré team player, than the Malian international, with the English shooting plenty of shots and making the most of his best work across the penalty area, as its. touch in the show box.

As Smith explains, “He doesn’t seem to have as much interest in attacks or anything like that, and I think he could still be modeled as a defensive midfielder or continue in that box-to-box role. ”

Doucouré may be more suited to a double pivot, and a deeper role than Gallagher, which may require another body further ahead or a system change to accommodate him.

Smith believes, however, that it shouldn’t be too difficult to change his playing style for Doucouré, who has already played in a number of systems including the 3-on-back style with which Lens works.

“He’s got to play on his own sometimes in 3-1-4-2, or he can play in midfield for two, so I think he’s already adapted to different systems”

In fact, Smith sees more of former Brighton man Yves Bissouma in Doucouré than any other Gallagher.

“It may be a lazy comparison because they’re both from Mali but it’s a bit like Yves Bissouma in that his current role is somewhere between a defensive midfielder and a right box – to – box,” he said. . 101.

“I think he has the ability to push up a little bit more, but at the moment he’s showing that he can do a little bit of everything, and he can only get one position as he is.”

Should Palace fans be excited?

According to the statistics, and those who watched him regularly in last season ‘s Ligue 1 campaign, that’s certainly the case.

“Doucouré is an excellent player and I think if he continues to improve as he is, he could make it into the top 6 teams,” our expert said.

“You can’t say for sure in advance, but everything about Doucouré says he has the engine to make it in the Premier League.”

If he does, Palace will have a great player on his hands, and he could be against the interest of the big clubs within a few years.

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