Abdoulaye Doucoure issues Everton contract update as extension clause explained

Abdoulaye Doucoure has revealed Everton have the option to extend his contract when it expires at the end of next season.

Everton enjoyed a successful send-off at Goodison Park with a 1-0 victory over already-relegated Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon. Doucoure headed home from a Dominic Calvert-Lewin cross to secure his side all three points.

The Blues headed into the game having picked up 13 points from a possible 18 after recording four consecutive home wins without conceding a goal. That run ultimately helped secure the club’s place in next season’s top flight.

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But as thoughts turn to next season, Andre Gomes, Idrissa Gueye, Ashley Young and Dele are all out of contract at the end of the current campaign, as is Seamus Coleman, while Jack Harrison and Arnaut Danjuma's loans will end.

In addition to that, other players, like Calvert-Lewin, Doucoure and Ben Godfrey, will have 12 months left to run on their existing deals. However, Everton have the chance to extend the Mali international’s contract.

"From my point of view, I'm very happy,” Doucoure said. “The club has an option to extend my contract next season, so I'm very calm.

"I signed a new deal (last summer) so I think my situation is not the priority now. I'm very secure here."

Blues boss Sean Dyche was named the Premier League's manager of the month for April after a string of impressive results and performances. The 52-year-old became the first Everton manager to receive the award since Carlo Ancelotti back in September 2020.

“The manager's been fantastic for us with his staff,” Doucoure replied when asked about Dyche. “They've been great.

“They keep the team very focused on the football side. You can see at the end that this is the fifth game we won in a row at home, so very happy.”

Saturday’s win over the Blades also saw Jordan Pickford register his 13th clean sheet of the season. Only Arsenal’s David Raya has totalled more shutouts during the current campaign.

And Doucoure admits that while it is a team effort to achieve such a feat, there have been a number of times this season when the England international has saved his side.

He said: “Jordan has been very important. I think the defence as well and all the team because it starts from the No.9 with Dominic or Beto or Youssef (Chermiti) when they start.

“They press high, we try to defend very well. Obviously, Jordan is England's No.1, so we've seen in a couple of games that he's saved us.

“I'm very happy for him to have some clean sheets and very happy to have him in the team.”

This time 12 months ago, it was Doucoure’s stunner in front of the Sir Philip Carter Park End on the final day of the season against Bournemouth that helped preserve the club’s top-flight status. This time, there was a very different atmosphere inside Goodison, with the Blues already safe.

“Very different from last season, obviously,” Doucoure reflected. “We are very happy to play this game free a little bit. I think we enjoyed it and happy for the win.”