The reasoning behind Chelsea's rumoured interest in Lucas Digne
When rumours began to circulate surrounding Vitalii Mykolenko's potential January move to Everton last week, the immediate concern was what does his impending arrival mean for Lucas Digne? Digne hasn't started a game since a rumoured falling out with head coach Rafa Benitez earlier this month, though he would have made the Toffees squad in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea were it not for a non-COVID related illness.
Nevertheless, with Mykolenko tipped to move to Merseyside in the New Year, Digne's time at Goodison Park is set to come to an end sooner than many may have hoped. There is no denying that the Frenchman has endured a dip in form under Benitez from previous highly rated seasons for Everton. For a player that has registered seven league assists in each of the last two campaigns, Digne is, surprisingly, yet to provide for a teammate, this despite Digne's key passes per 90 rising to 1.7 from 1.5 last season. The absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin has certainly contributed towards the left-back's zero assists.
Yet reports that both Digne and Benitez clashed over the fomer's more defensive role means that the Frenchman looks set for a move to pastures new in the New Year. Mykolenko would bring that more defensive approach at left-back that Benitez craves, while allowing for Digne to depart should he wish. That would mean where next for the 28-year-old provided Everton do elect to cash in on the France international.
Chelsea have emerged as a potential destination for Digne and for good reason too. Ben Chilwell's knee injury sustained in the 4-0 Champions League win over Juventus last month isn't as bad as initially feared with Thomas Tuchel last week revealing the England international has out running at Cobham.
Nevertheless, even with Chilwell set to return earlier than expected, Chelsea reportedly remain in the market for another left-back as an upgrade on Marcos Alonso to provide stiffer competition for a starting spot for the former. Alonso started the season as first choice left wing-back, yet lost his spot to Chilwell in October as the England star proved why Chelsea spent big to sign him 18 months ago prior to a spell on the sidelines.
Alonso turns 31 next week and Chelsea are keen on a younger replacement for the Spaniard, who is aware that, when Chilwell is fit, he will be second choice at Stamford Bridge. In addition, Alonso is keen on regular game time ahead of next year's World Cup in Qatar, something Chelsea can't offer, but even so; the Spain international is starting to struggle with the pace of the Premier League.
Indeed, Alonso is being dribbled past 0.8 times per 90 in the Premier League this season, this an increase of Digne and Chilwell (both 0.5). What's respectable about Digne's return is that Everton (38.6%) see far less of the ball than Chelsea (60.1%), so opponents are presented with more opportunities to get the better of the Toffees man, though in starting deeper, there is perhaps less space to beat the Frenchman.
Even so, despite being handed less of an attacking license, Digne is still matching Chilwell and Alonso in terms of chance creation per 90 (1.7), though the former duo are averaging fewer key passes from open play per 90 (1.0) than the latter (1.4). That would surely rise when operating in a more advanced wing-back role that Tuchel utilises, all the while he has proven that he is capable of carrying out the necessary defensive duties required of a player in the position.
Digne has always played his best football in teams that see more of the ball than opponents, so it stands to reason that he would thrive in a setup like Chelsea, where the wing-backs are key for the three-man defence to succeed. Furthermore, as a player who has previously played a bit-part role for some of Europe's elite sides, an additional option rather than first choice in his position won't be a huge shock to the system for Digne.
Granted, having been first choice at Everton for the best part of three-and-a-half years, Digne would want regular game time should he leave next month, but with Chelsea expected to play upwards of 50 games a season given league games and progresson in domestic and continental competition, minutes wouldn't be in short supply for the left-back.
He'd be an improvement on Alonso and would ease the need to rush Chilwell back to first team duties in a potential move that would undoubtedly suit all parties.
