Chelsea eye move for Everton’s Lucas Digne

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Chelsea are interested in signing Everton left-back Lucas Digne in the January transfer window.

Image source: transfermarkt.com

The Frenchman, 28, is unhappy at Everton after being dropped from the matchday squad on back-to-back occasions following an argument with manager Rafael Benitez. The relationship between the pair has soured, raising serious questions over the player’s future at Goodison Park.

Lucas Digne signed a contract extension earlier this year until the summer of 2025, but the recent turn of events could see a host of clubs across Europe pounce on the opportunity to sign him in the upcoming winter transfer window.

Chelsea have already shown an interest in the 28-year-old left-back, who has been plying his trade at Everton since 2018. The Blues have lost Ben Chilwell for the next few months due to an ACL injury, leaving Thomas Tuchel with Marcos Alonso as the only left wing-back option.

This could force Thomas Tuchel’s hand in the transfer market for a new left-back. Everton want €35m for Digne, though Chelsea hopes to secure a loan move with an obligation to buy for less than €25m at the end of the season.

Ben Chilwell’s loss is a big blow for Chelsea

Ben Chilwell was kept out of the starting XI by Marcos Alonso until late September but since he started his first Premier League game of the season against Southampton in October, there was no looking back. He marked his return to the team with a goal before netting in the Blues’ victories over Brentford and Norwich City respectively.

As the England international was enjoying some of the best football of his mushrooming career, he sustained a knee injury against Juventus in the Champions League. Since Chilwell’s injury, Chelsea have hit something of a dip in form.

Draws against Zenit and Manchester United have been intensified by a London derby defeat to West Ham, and although the Blues bounced back to winning ways in the Premier League by beating Leeds United at Stamford Bridge last weekend, Tuchel would have been exasperated with his team’s performances in recent weeks.

Is Lucas Digne the right option for the Pensioners?

Since Chilwell went down injured against Juventus, Marcos Alonso and Saul Niguez have shared the left wing-back duties. The Pensioners have struggled and it’s not a surprise that the board is working behind the scenes to bolster the left-hand side of the defence.

Everton’s Lucas Digne has been linked with a move to Chelsea. With close to 130 appearances for Royal Blues, the 28-year-old has got decent Premier League experience under his belt that should appeal to Tuchel. The French international is flying left-back with top crossing ability and set-piece prowess. He may not be as defensively sound as Chilwell, but playing at left wing-back in Tuchel’s 3-4-3/3-4-2-1 system could mask his defensive vulnerabilities and allow his natural attacking endeavours to come to the fore.

Chelsea simply cannot continue with Alonso as the only recognised left wing-back option and must make a move for Digne in January. Perhaps, the signing of the Everton defender could well boost the Blues’ form and allow them to challenge on all fronts this term.