Former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes Everton manager Rafa Benitez will cast aside Lucas Digne. 

This comes following a report from The Athletic claiming that there had been a disagreement between the two ahead of the home clash against Arsenal. 

The report claims that a January move for Digne is now a ‘distinct possibility’ as the 28-year-old is unhappy at an alteration in responsibility at Goodison Park. 

Speaking to Football Insider, Agbonlahor was bemused by the decision to omit a key player. 

It’s very strange. Lucas Digne gets in the France squad, for this to happen is very strange. But sometimes these things happen. Sometimes players fall out with managers. Benitez might be no-nonsense and it’s a case of ‘If you fall out with me, you’re not involved. I don’t care if you’re one of the big players’. It looks as if he’s got that about him, Benitez. If you annoy him, it doesn’t matter if you’re the star player, you’re not involved. I think Digne and Benitez have definitely got a problem.

Prior to the fallout, Digne had provided one assist in 15 appearances across all competitions this season – compared to seven in 30 outings in 2020/21. 

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Just when it seemed the victory may have been the turning point, one of the top performers in recent times seems to have been castigated by the manager. 

Whilst any rift cant go on, Benitez should consider the quality the £31.5million valued Frenchman possesses before allowing a departure as well as the lack of natural replacement. 

Ben Godfrey was called upon in the ace’s absence on Monday, albeit playing out of position from his preferred centre-back role.