‘He is one of the best left-backs in Europe’ – Ancelotti reacts to Digne blow at Everton
Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Everton might have to cope without Lucas Digne after the left-back suffered an ankle injury in training this week.
Digne, 27, has been one of the stars of Everton’s impressive start to the Premier League season with the France international assisting four goals in eight top-flight appearances.
According to stats by WyScout, only two players in Europe’s top five leagues have attempted more crosses than the Toffees left-back this season [54] while the ex-Barcelona ace ranks fifth in the Premier League for expected assists [2.15].
Digne is so vital to the way Everton play with three of his four assists setting up goals for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who unsurprisingly sits third in the Premier League rankings for aerial duels [88] thanks to Digne’s ability to cross the ball from the left.
Speaking ahead of Everton’s clash against Leeds United at Goodison Park on Saturday, Ancelotti has revealed how he hopes to overcome Digne’s absence, suggesting that Alex Iwobi is an option for him on the left.
“It is a big loss because he is one of the best left-backs in Europe at the moment but we have to manage this,” said the Italian, as quoted by Sky Sports.
“I think we will be able to adapt to the loss of Lucas Digne for two or three months.
“Three centre-backs can be an option still. We can use Iwobi on the left without problem as a wing-back so we will see.”
Iwobi, 24, has played on both flanks for Everton this season with the former Arsenal man playing as the right-sided wing-back in the win over Fulham last week.
He impressed in that game with stats by WyScout showing that he fired six crosses into the penalty area, completing 75 per cent of dribbles and making six progressive runs.
Iwobi and Niels Nkounkou are both options for Ancelotti on the left-hand side.
But they’ll need to do more than simply impress against Leeds on Saturday.
We need them to perform brilliantly for at least a couple of months.
In other Everton news, Kevin Campbell has delivered his verdict on speculation linking Daniel James to Goodison Park.