Seasons2019-20Everton News
Digne hopes thriving at Everton will carry him to Euro2020

Lucas Digne says that he feels he is most suited to the Premier League after spells in his native France, Italy and Spain.
The French international was interviewed by Le Parisien ahead of his country's final Euro2020 qualifier against Albania this evening and he was asked in which areas he feels he has progressed most since arriving in England with Everton.
Digne stressed the physical demands and the pace of the Premier League together with the advanced role demanded of him by Marco Silva has having forced him to develop his game .
“I had to adapt quickly to the intensity, the physical impact, playing forward quickly and repeating high-intensity effort,” the full-back explained. “I am asked to be very offensive but this involves defensively many one-on-one duels because the matches are very open. This is the championship that suits me best.
“I have more fun playing every weekend. The hardest thing is to constantly play at a very high level. This is what happens to the big players. The key to this is to take care of yourself, to be vigilant about recovery, especially when playing two games in 48 hours like on Boxing Day. This mainly involves food and sleep.
Digne, was asked whether he was surprised to inherit the captain's armband for a few weeks at Everton.
“There was a list of four captains,” he replied. “I was the fourth so I knew it could happen even if the probability was low. It is a source of pride to wear this armband. I've only be at the club for a season and a half, so it's a great sign of confidence.
“Apart from in the France youth team, I hadn't ever worn the armband. It must be said that in Paris, Rome or Barcelona, it would have been complicated!”
Digne's switch to Goodison last year hasn't been the only big change in his life — his wife Tiziri gave birth to their son earlier this year.
“There are more delicate nights than others but it is still happiness,” he smiled. ”If he wakes up, I'll go hug him even if it's 2 or 3 in the morning. But it brings me so much joy and energy that I am going to workout in great form at 8 o'clock.
“The balance of family life is essential to achieve good performance.”
Having missed out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia which France won, Digne hopes his club form will carry him to next year's European Championship finals.
[At Everton], the goals are simple: we must do better than last season. As an individual, it's the same principle. I look at my statistics, the percentage of duels won, the number of successful crosses...
"I was selected as player of the season [last year and] it makes me happy but these [statistics] are more concrete.
"The France team is the continuity of what I realise at club level. It's up to me to put all the odds on my side."
Reader Comments (31)
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2 Posted 17/11/2019 at 18:31:44
3 Posted 17/11/2019 at 19:07:26
He is better than 18/19 other clubs left backs by far.
We are very lucky to have him..
4 Posted 17/11/2019 at 19:50:35
5 Posted 17/11/2019 at 20:01:48
I still say he is one if not the best left backs in the Premiership.
What would be nice in the summer is a double testimonial for Baines and Jagielka with proceeds going to Everton in the Community.
While I am on a roll, Paul McCartney to play at Goodison Park, before we bow out of the old lady, he has done Anfield so now Goodison.
6 Posted 17/11/2019 at 20:50:18
Our hopes of salvaging this season rest in no small measure on Digne's being at the top of his game.
7 Posted 17/11/2019 at 22:03:29
Brian, l have put a lot of thought into it and I think you could be right in that Baines and Jags could share a testimonial. However l think the proceeds should come to me.
Anyone remember how the half time hit the bar challenge was to win up to 10 grand. Now its you hit it once you get a pie. Hit it twice you get a pie and toilet roll. Hit it 3 times you get a voucher for the McDonalds at Anfield. Or something like that. Its a bit boring this international break.
8 Posted 17/11/2019 at 23:07:12
9 Posted 17/11/2019 at 23:16:19
10 Posted 18/11/2019 at 02:44:50
11 Posted 18/11/2019 at 05:52:32
Another statto.
He needs Stop looking at his stats and start analysing The goals we have conceded and how he didnt do his part.
Everyone knows what he can do with a ball and we love that part of his game. Its when He/We don't have it that his tendancy to slip into a coma becomes apparent.
12 Posted 18/11/2019 at 06:04:40
Agreed. Digne has long since been identified as a great source of supply for us. The opposition are closing him down quicker.
If he played across the park he would be able to send these crosses in without taking a touch first. Their full backs have this luxury because they Know 2/3 forwards would be busting a gut to get on the end of it.
Unfortunately Lucas doesnt have that luxury. he either has to find one closely marked striker, or take a touch and wait for the cavalry to arrive
13 Posted 18/11/2019 at 07:41:11
You've gotta love this lad. A smart player with tonnes of class. He's dragged us out of the mire singlehandedly on a few occasions too.
I was watching a replay of the Lincoln game the other day (desperation on international week). His free kick was top drawer. Then followed up with a great bit of skill and a sublime cross for Richarlison.
I'm sure we'd all like to see it more often, but he's probably one of the few players who can hold their head up this season.
14 Posted 18/11/2019 at 08:27:47
But I can think of at least 5 times when he was directly responsible for us conceding a goal. Remains to be seen if he can concentrate for a full 90min yet. Always seems to have at least one gaffe in him a match.
15 Posted 18/11/2019 at 14:00:25
16 Posted 18/11/2019 at 14:25:58
17 Posted 18/11/2019 at 15:17:44
18 Posted 18/11/2019 at 20:55:00
19 Posted 18/11/2019 at 21:26:51
20 Posted 19/11/2019 at 03:12:19
As for France and Barcelona, perhaps they play more through the middle than Everton tend to under Silva.
21 Posted 19/11/2019 at 20:16:09
22 Posted 19/11/2019 at 20:38:31
23 Posted 19/11/2019 at 21:19:31
24 Posted 19/11/2019 at 21:31:19
25 Posted 19/11/2019 at 21:32:23
26 Posted 19/11/2019 at 21:33:18
27 Posted 19/11/2019 at 23:11:42
28 Posted 20/11/2019 at 01:07:26
However, thankfully, neither would want to come. Their post-game interviews alone would drive any sane person up the wall. They would actually make Silva sound eloquent.
29 Posted 20/11/2019 at 08:33:14
At the moment, (and I stress the "ATM" part), I am happy with this.
I think Silva is a good manager, with a vision and the failing, at the moment, is that he doesn't yet have the full quality of personnel at his disposal to give that vision life.
But I hope, (if I am right) that we are currently "building a brand" at Everton and that soon, it will all "click" and we won't look back for the next 20 years as we replicate the first spell under HK and go that final step to become EPL and European Champions on a consistent basis.
Well - I can dream - can't I?
But I do, honestly believe, that Silva will take us forward, once a few things fall into place.
30 Posted 20/11/2019 at 10:12:38
Rodgers was sacked not that long after Man City pipped Liverpool to win the Premier League, and after a 1-1 draw with us in which Liverpool's frailties were the final straw. There were no guarantees with Klopp, and even he could be sacked if Liverpool fail to win the Premier League this season. Believe me, I've witnessed heated arguments, not very long ago, between Liverpool supporters over whether Klopp should be sacked. Some were claiming him weak defensively, a habitual loser in finals, overrated, and full of himself. Quite different from the media, particularly BBC, image.
Things can change very quickly. As one of our recent managerial incumbents would have said, "That is football". Our fortunes can change very quickly, which returns us to Digne's comments as the subject of this thread.
31 Posted 21/11/2019 at 04:57:12
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1 Posted 17/11/2019 at 17:25:49
What a disappointment this season has been. No denying that. I think we are all on edge waiting for the moment everything just clicks. We should be expectant. Digne could of been better this season. Of course the cross for Tosun was his best moment of the year but that aside he could of been better.
Yet again, we have good players. Hopefully we don't have any further injuries and we can get a settled team which allows us to play and stick in form. We have many young improving players. Very pleased that Holgate and Davies are looking like important pieces.
Impatience. Definitely on my part.