Goodison View: Lucas Digne drop-off down to Everton forwards DCL & Richarlison
Lucas Digne has been a vital part of our progression from also-rans to European contenders but his Everton numbers have suffered a dip recently.
The French international was in scintillating form at the start of the season as he helped to propel us to the top of the table but he missed eight games over the winter period through injury and has not reached his previous heights.
In fact, he has failed to record an assist in his last nine games.
But it’s not just his final product that has taken a hit.
According to Wyscout Digne loses the ball 11.32 times per 90 for Everton this season but four of the last five games have seen him exceed this figure.
His crossing figures have taken a huge hit – he has not completed more than two in a game in his last seven despite doing so on seven previous occasions this season.
So what is happening with him? Is it sloppy service on his behalf or are the forwards lacking?
At Goodison News we took a look at some of his recent performances.
The image below is from our recent defeat to Chelsea and shows him shaping to cross from his usual advanced position on the left-hand side but forwards Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison are still on the edge of the box as he kicks the ball.
With neither forward in the area it falls harmlessly into the goalkeeper’s hands and we think this is more reflective of Richarlison and DCL than Digne – he is putting quality crosses into the box but no one is gambling on it.
This was proven again v Burnley as the image below shows Digne shaping up to cross the ball but the only person in the box is DCL and he is at the far post between two defenders.
The space is at the near post but there are no attackers near it.
Even when there is someone to get on the end of a Digne cross our forwards are not capitalising on it.
Here Digne pops up in an unfamiliar right-hand side position and swings in a sensational delivery on his right foot that falls perfectly for DCL to head in unmarked.
Unfortunately, he fails to even hit the target and that is purely on him.
The next two images are further proof of the lack of desire from our forwards to latch onto a Digne delivery.
Both remain stationary and do not make a run near post, instead opting to stay in the middle of the goal.
Richarlison and DCL are almost holding hands as the ball flies into Nick Pope’s arms in the Burnley goal.
It’s not good enough and we cannot hold Digne to blame for this.
He is giving the ball away with more regularity than normal and there are issues he needs to address but we think the main reason for the drop in numbers is the lack of movement across the Blues front line.
If we sort that out then expect Digne’s stats to soar and our momentum pick up again after two defeats, starting with Manchester City on Saturday.
In other Everton news, see our predicted XI v Manchester City.