but he can give and receive a pass and that makes a world of difference.

Alcaraz can go past a player - we havent had that centrally since Barkley left

I wouldnt play him in a midfield 2 (yet) but Moyes tends to go 451 anyway which he can easily slot into (I suspect moyes has used him wide as its less dangerous to give the ball away in wide areas - same argument moyes himself uses for bedding in CBs as fullbacks)

I'm hoping there is some truth in Angel Gomes links, although he is only 5ft6 which might put Moyes off, he'd be great in the two.


this season
Doucoure 32 games, 3 goals 2 assists, 3 big chances created
Alcaraz 15 games, 1 goal 3 assists, 6 big chances created (opta stat)

defensively Doucoure has better stats (tackles, blocks, aerial duals won etc)
but attacking wise alcaraz is clear in multiple stats despite playing 1/3 of the minutes doucoure has.


he's not the finished player, you'd hope he'd improve - but he's the kind of player we should be going for.