View: Unfortunate blow hands Niels Nkounkou perfect Everton chance
Everton will be without left-back Lucas Digne for their Premier League match against Leeds United at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The Frenchman was outstanding against Fulham in his new wing-back role, with the former Barcelona man providing two assists and proving a constant thorn in the side of the Fulham defence.
Digne will have surgery on his ankle ligaments after sustaining an injury in training (via Sky Sports), but his absence will offer a valuable opportunity for youngster Niels Nkounkou to get some Premier League experience.
The 20-year-old started Everton’s 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United earlier this month, his only Premier League appearance to date, but has impressed in the EFL Cup – playing 90 minutes in all three rounds up until this point.
Against Newcastle, he played 69 minutes from the start, taking one shot, completing one dribble and making four tackles and four clearances via WhoScored. He was also comfortable on the ball, completing 91% of his passes and only being replaced as the Toffees pushed for goals late on.
Despite impressing, he is very inexperienced at the top level and failed to make an appearance for the Marseille first team last season. However, without Digne, Everton have very few options and they need Nkounkou to make the step up.
With Everton impressing in the 3-4-3 formation against Fulham, Ancelotti will likely stick with the system and this should help Nkounkou adapt.
With the added defensive cover he will have less responsibility on his shoulders and will also afford him the opportunity to get forward.
Whether Everton believe the France youth international is ready or not, he has now got the opportunity to step up and it will be a matter of sink or swim. For his sake, let’s hope he taken this chance and run with it.
In other Everton news, Marcelo Bielsa named three things he admires about Ancelotti