Lucas Digne could leave Everton in January after Benitez clash
A departure for Everton left-back Lucas Digne has been mooted in some quarters as a distinct possibility, according to The Athletic.
The Frenchman and Rafa Benitez had a falling out ahead of Monday’s (6 December) game against Arsenal, and he was excluded from the matchday squad as a result.
The Athletic further reports that “the pair have rarely seen eye to eye, particularly on tactical matters”, and Digne, 28, could look to cut the cord from Benitez and Everton at the earliest opportunity, with a January or summer exit on the cards.
No way back?
Managers and players fall out all the time, but there may not be a coming back from this from the look of things.
Benitez opted for Ben Godfrey as his left-back for the Gunners clash, and he could look to bring back Niels Nkounkou from his season-long loan at Standard Liege next month if Digne moves on.
Given the pragmatic style of play of the Everton boss, it is not surprising that the attacking-minded Frenchman feels that he is being under-utilised.
He has also been taken off set-piece duties, and that would not have done down well with him.
Digne has no assist or goal in 13 league games so far this season, and that is not doing his chances of playing regularly for France any good.
The former Barcelona man will not be short of suitors next month or in the summer if he wants to leave Goodison Park, and they could do with the cash from a potential sale given their Financial Fair Play struggles.
Benitez could be very much open to his departure, but he would have to decide whether that would do more good than harm to his team.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are plotting January loan-to-buy bid for centre-mid hailed by Jack Grealish last month.
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