Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure says he appreciates his new role under manager Sean Dyche.

Doucoure has been pushed further forward this season.

“I enjoy it so far,” he told the club’s website. “The statistics show it – they’re very good.

“Sometimes it’s hard because it’s not my natural position. Sometimes I like to come from behind, but I’m ready to play any position.

“The manager gives me a bit of freedom and allows me to come on the left, sometimes in the middle. He just wants to make sure I’m in the first line of pressing for the team because he knows I have the legs to press the opponents.

“After that, I have the freedom to score goals and make some assists, so it’s been good.”

Asked about his time in the Premier League, Doucoure replied: “It has been a long time, it has been almost eight years now. When I came to England, my wish was to stay like 10 years in the Premier League and I am almost there. I am very happy; I have grown up, and I am a man now. Very happy.

“The game doesn’t change a lot. It has been very intense. To play and perform in the Premier League, one must possess exceptional physical fitness.

“It doesn’t make any big changes, but my game has changed a little bit. The Premier League has still been the same.”