Abdoulaye Doucoure believes it is sometimes no coincidence Everton perform better in a three-man midfield, although he is equally comfortable in a two-man system.
Doucoure has been an important player for the club ever since his move from Watford in the summer 2020, with his influence growing into the 2021/22 campaign.
The midfielder has often been asked to play in a two-man midfield throughout the course of this season, with Rafa Benitez seemingly reluctant to use three players in that position from the start.
A 4-3-3 system was something Carlo Ancelotti favoured shortly after the Frenchman's arrival - with fellow signing Allan and Andre Gomes being the preferred players initially to make up that formation.
The current boss has fleeting used that system, usually bringing players off the bench to create it, and Doucoure thinks it's no surprise that it has worked well.
However, speaking exclusively to the ECHO, the midfielder thinks it does depend on the match and he is comfortable playing in a two or three - knowing he carries both attacking an defensive responsibility.
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He said: "I think sometimes when you play a three, especially some games where Andre came on, I think we played much better because we have more possession in midfield and have more numbers in the middle sometimes.
"I don't think it's coincidence, I think when you play a three sometimes it's better.
"But of course sometimes a two is quite good as well, but it depends on the game really. I like to play in both a three and a two.
"It doesn't bother me to play in that shape.
"I think I have both [defensive and offensive responsibility].
"Especially against Chelsea for example, we weren't on the ball too much so I had to be compact with my team and with Andre in the midfield this time.
"I needed to be more responsible on the defensive side, but of course I could break forward sometimes and I think I made one or two runs during the game.
"Of course the manager wants me to do that sometimes."
Since joining the club in September 2020, Doucoure has managed to strike up a strong partnership with Allan in the centre of midfield.
That was instantly apparent under Ancelotti and continued at the beginning of the current campaign under Benitez, with the pair being crucial in Everton's fast start to the season.
"Allan is a great player," Doucoure added.
"He has a lot of experience, he's a leader in our team, he's very loud. Every time he wants to win, even in training.
"We have the same mentality on the pitch. When we are both fit, when we are both well, I think we have a great partnership.
"It's obvious I'm more offensive than him, even Allan knows that and he prefers to sit back and to be near to the defence and me to be more going forward.
"We know that of each other.
"But I have other players as well - I think Andre's a great player, Tom Davies, you have Gbamin as well, Fabian Delph when he is there as well.
"So you have a good mix in the middle. Of course I've played most of the time with Allan so I think we have something special between us.
"But the other players are great as well."
Everton had a number of games postponed over the festive period, meaning a long break from action following their battling draw with Chelsea.
The Blues returned with a disappointing defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion before heading through to the fourth round of the FA Cup after needing extra time to overcome Hull City.
Doucoure admitted he would rather have been playing throughout the winter rather than being rested, although he did have some benefits from an unexpected break.
The Frenchman remarked: "We had some days off, some we had training because the games were only postponed 24 hours before.
"We trained like we were going to play, but it was quiet.
"We prepare for each game, but of course every game was getting postponed.
"I would have preferred to play than to be rested. But we had to take some advantage.
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"For me I could rest my body, work more in the gym. For me it was a good time, I didn't have any off days. I was working in the gym and on the pitch, working more than usual.
"I hope now the work is going to pay off."
Doucoure suffered a foot injury earlier in the campaign which ruled him out for a number of matches.
However, after a period of finding his form and confidence upon his return, the 29-year-old believes he is at the top of his game once more.
"I feel better," he remarked.
"After my injury when I came back, I thought I needed one or two weeks to get back on my fitness and my confidence as well, to not get injured.
"So far it's going well, my foot is fine and I feel very good now. I feel like I was at the beginning of the season so I can have better performances now."
