Chelsea have reportedly made an approach to sign Everton left-back Lucas Digne, as Thomas Tuchel eyes defensive reinforcements.
The Blues have been rocked by the news that Ben Chilwell will require surgery on his knee after he damaged his ACL in the 4-0 Champions League win over Juventus in November. He has already been ruled out for the rest of the season, leaving Thomas Tuchel with just Marcos Alonso as a recognised left-back option.
According to 90min, Chelsea are considering moving for Everton’s wantaway left-back Lucas Digne in the upcoming winter transfer window. The French defender is looking to leave Goodison Park in January after his falling out with manager Rafael Benitez a few weeks ago, the report adds.
Digne, 28, has been a consistent performer for Everton over the last two years but his time in Merseyside looks up. The Royal Blues, for their part, have already lined up his replacement in Dynamo Kyiv starlet Vitaliy Mykolenko, who is set to arrive in a £17 million deal in the first week of January.
Chelsea are considering options to replace Chilwell. 🔵 #CFC
First approach with Lucas Digne’s camp as he’s prepared to leave Everton.
Sergiño Dest is appreciated – nothing advanced yet. Nicolás Tagliafico has been discussed weeks ago.
Recalling E. Palmieri or Maatsen, plan B.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 28, 2021
Lucas Digne to Chelsea—A smart addition to Thomas Tuchel’s defensive ranks?
After starting the Premier League season on the bench, Ben Chilwell usurped Marcos Alonso as Chelsea’s first-choice left wing-back in October and went on a purple patch, scoring in three consecutive games. He had become a vital cog in Thomas Tuchel’s system, playing with a lot of energy and intensity and scoring goals. Thus, it isn’t surprising to see Chelsea’s form have dipped since the England international got injured.
Marcos Alonso has deputised decently at left wing-back but he is nowhere closer to Chilwell, both defensively and offensively. Alonso has errors written in his game and cannot be entirely trusted when it comes to defending in 1v1 situations. It has stressed the need for a new left-back, and that is where someone in the ilk of Lucas Digne could prove to be a top acquisition.
Digne is an attack-minded left-back whose strengths lie in his crossing ability, deliveries from set-pieces and overlapping runs. The French international has a good turn of pace and generally covers a lot of ground in a game. He is a tactically smart player, and that coupled with his decent Premier League experience and ability to create chances should make him a perfect fit in Tuchel’s system.
The ex-Barcelona man can prosper more in a wing-back role at Chelsea, with a sturdy back three allowing him the license to go forward and create opportunities aplenty for his teammates. Also, Digne would come closer to offering a similar skill-set to that of the injured Chilwell at left wing-back, thereby, making him an instant upgrade on Alonso.
Therefore, Chelsea must go all out to sign Digne from Everton in January.