Goodison News View: Transfer report on star Everton man makes for grim reading
For the first half of this season it looked like this was an Everton team devoid of all quality and inspiration… but things have changed of late.
Duncan Ferguson’s appointment as caretaker boss was the first step back in the right direction, and Carlo Ancelotti has taken things to another level.
Suddenly the Toffees players are looking like their old selves again, and results have improved as a result.
One of the key stars of the team’s resurgence has been left back Lucas Digne, who seems to be back to his debut season best.
However, there’s been some worrying news on that front. 90min.com reported on Saturday that both Chelsea and Manchester City are looking at making a move for Digne this summer.
Both teams have had problems on the left hand side of the defence in recent years, and so the French international makes logical sense for them.
The duo also like the look of Leicester City star Ben Chilwell but, with the England international likely to cost about £100million, the Toffees star is seen as a cheaper alternative.
This report makes for grim reading for the Everton fans, who have become used to a sustained period of excellence at left back, first with Leighton Baines and now with Digne.
Digne’s form has undergone a real upturn of late, as mentioned. The 26-year-old’s last five WhoScored ratings going back to the win over Brighton & Hove Albion in early January are: 7.69, 7.64, 7.5, 6.62 and 8.38.
Those are terrific numbers, and demonstrate how good the left back really is. He’s certainly capable of playing for a City or a Chelsea, that’s for sure.
However, Everton under Ancelotti want to become a City/Chelsea-type team. If they are to do that, though, then they can’t be selling their best players to them.
Digne, despite a relative downturn this campaign, is still one of their best players. He averages 2.2 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 2.3 clearances per game on the defensive front.
Going forward, he’s managed five assists and averages 2.3 key passes an outing. The Frenchman is integral to what Ancelotti wants to do.
With that said, the Toffees must try their utmost to keep the former Barcelona star.
In other Everton news, the club received an enormous boost on Sunday with some positive injury news.