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Exclusive: Campbell claims that Digne injury is 'tough loss' for Everton
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Kevin Campbell believes the loss of Lucas Digne will be ‘tough’ for Everton and hailed the Frenchman’s influence on Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.
Digne has been ruled out for at least two months after injuring the ligaments in his ankle after a strong start to this season’s Premier League campaign.
Campbell has claimed that the Toffees will miss Digne’s offensive threat while admitting that other players in the Everton squad will have to ‘step up’.
Speaking to Goodison News, Campbell said, “He’s a very good player, a French international. At the offensive end as well, in the attack his crossing is second to none. He’s one of the best crossers in the league from the left-hand side.
“It’s going to be a tough loss but again, that’s football. Injuries or COVID or whatever will come and take key players out of the lineup. It’s up to the other players in the squad to step up.”
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In the Toffees’ last match against Leeds, Alex Iwobi and Tom Davies started in the wing-back positions they struggled to replace the attacking threat or defensive solidity that Digne possesses.
Before his injury, Digne had picked up four assists in eight Premier League games which suggests Cambell is correct in calling him one of the best crossers in the league.
His most recent assist came in the 3-2 win against Fulham as he caused the Cottagers defence a host of problems before chipping a delightful ball into the box that Abdoulaye Doucoure headed into the net.
Digne was playing in Ancelotti’s new system that utilises wing-backs in a five-man defence, a system that looks like it was set up to get more out of players like Digne.
This is why the injury is such a blow to Everton and the club couldn’t record back to back victories without Digne in the side.
It remains to be seen who Digne’s permanent replacement will be and it will be interesting to see if Ancelotti persists with his new system in Saturday’s game against Burnley.
In other Everton news, Everton are ready to offer £36 million for Luis Alberto, according to a new report.