Danny Mills tips Everton to keep hold of reportedly in-demand star
Everton under Carlo Ancelotti appear to be a different proposition to the Toffees under Marco Silva… the level of ambition at the club is vastly different.
Suddenly this is a club that is pushing to join the elite in the years to come. That’s what happens when you have a world class manager like the Italian.
To get to the level that the Toffees want to be at, though, you need to keep your best players and build around them.
That’s why a report from 90min.com recently claiming that Manchester City and Chelsea are eyeing summer move for left back Lucas Digne was so concerning.
Former England international Danny Mills, though, feels that the Merseyside outfit have little to worry about.
“Lucas Digne will have huge respect for Carlo Ancelotti,” he told Football Insider. “He is a fabulous player with great ability.
“It depends on whether this fifth place is opening up for the Champions League. Is he going to want to go to Manchester City if they are not going to be in the Champions League?
“Is he happy at Everton? It looks like he is. Everton have money and they are a very good club, being run very well.
“The owner, the sporting director, the manager – there is a long term plan and with a new stadium in the not so distant future Everton have every chance of fighting off those big clubs.”
Is Mills right, here?
He’s certainly got a point, that’s for sure. As he says, the Blues have money, a world class manager, and are looking to push towards the elite.
If City aren’t going to be in the Champions League next season – and there’s every possibility Chelsea may miss out as well – then that only increases Everton’s chances of keeping Digne.
You wonder whether the Toffees might move to hand Digne a new contract given the interest in him from top clubs.
Yes, he’s not been at the club that long, but it’s always best to insure yourself against potential high-profile exits. It seems like a win-win.
In other Everton news, a former England international has been raving about the latest injury news at Goodison Park.