Feud suggested between Everton manager Rafa Benitez and Lucas Digne
Everton full-back Lucas Digne could be on his way out of the club following a possible feud with Rafa Benitez, according to the Liverpool Echo.
The French international was left out of the team for the 2-1 win over Arsenal at Goodison Park on Monday night (6 December).
However, it was revealed that he was not injured and had simply been dropped from the matchday squad altogether.
The Liverpool Echo have suggested that this could be the beginning of the end for Digne on Merseyside, writing:
“His [Benitez’s] decision to drop Lucas Digne from the matchday squad, even though fit, does not need much decoding.
“There is clear tension in their relationship about the team’s style of play and what is being asked of the left-back.
“But if the events of the past couple of days, and what the club said in the wake of Brands’ departure, tells us, is that Benitez is in charge, and what he says goes.
“Who knows if there is any way back for Digne after this? It seems unlikely at this stage.”
Strained relationship
Prior to Monday night, Digne had played every minute of every Premier League game this season except for the trip to Wolves in November when he was injured.
However, it seems as if his game time is about to rapidly decrease as tension between him and Benitez has come to a head.
Perhaps some harsh words were said in the dressing room after the 4-1 defeat to Liverpool last week (1 December), in which Digne in particular was caught out for the second goal of the game.
Last month (17 November), The Athletic published a piece detailing how Benitez’s defensive system was “stifling” the 28-year-old, and as an attacking full-back the French is unlikely to have enjoyed the way his manager sets up.
Least of all because it has meant that he is yet to register an assist in the Premier League this season, having collected 18 over the previous three campaigns.
In his absence against Arsenal, it was Ben Godfrey who slotted in at left-back and put in a strong defensive display, which will not have helped Digne’s chances of returning to the side.
In other Everton news, the Toffees want to sign this Premier League full-back as a successor for Seamus Coleman.
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