Barcelona may be ruing their decision to sell Lucas Digne to Everton after the latest hints in Mundo Deportivo from journalist Xavier Bosch.
Described in a headline as ‘the most dangerous fullback in Europe’, bringing Digne to Goodison Park was one of the first masterstrokes achieved by Marcel Brands when he was appointed as the club’s Director of Football in 2018.
Now a mainstay of Carlo Ancelotti’s plans and indeed that of his predecessors, the left-back has managed 17 assists in his Evertonian career primarily from defensive positions and has long-held a crucial role in building attacks from deeper down the field.
Halfway through his previous deal, Digne saw his fine efforts rewarded with a fresh four-year contract, keeping him on Merseyside potentially until 2025.
Bosch has since claimed Everton made a major mistake letting Digne go, with the Frenchman deputising for Jordi Alba.
A tidy but small profit of €4 million was made after selling the defender to Everton for €20 million in 2018.
Bosch has identified the move as ‘showing lack of patience with a player and valuing his talent when [Barcelona] no longer have him’, writing for Mundo Deportivo [via SportWitness]:
‘On the same day of his renewal, it was made public that he was the left-footed fullback who created the most danger in the top five European leagues in the last three years.
‘This statistic counts the scoring chances each player generates, an often-subjective calculation. Behind him, are names like Robertson from Liverpool, Raphael Guerreiro from Dortmund or Alba himself in sixth place.’
Read Everton Verdict
Digne looks to be an ever-shrewder acquisition with each passing day.
If former club Barcelona are jealous, Digne has to be considered as one of the world’s most coveted and incisive defenders in a flagship transfer under Marcel Brands’ reign.
