Leighton Baines is at risk of falling foul of Carlo Ancelotti’s axe when Everton visit Chelsea on Sunday with Lucas Digne potentially ready in waiting to return from a muscle strain.
Digne has not been seen in the Premier League since our 3-1 win at home to Crystal Palace on February 8, as Ancelotti opted to rest the Frenchman against Arsenal after the 26-year-old complained of discomfort in training ahead of the Gunners clash.
The strain was not thought to be serious at the time but ensured that Digne also missed last weekend’s draw with Manchester United, though the Red Devils affair may now prove to be Baines’ last taste of action for the time being.
Digne has been pictured back in training at Finch Farm as Ancelotti gets his men in shape for the weekend’s voyage to Stamford Bridge, where the Italian will be allowed on the touchline after accepting the Football Association’s charge of using improper language and/or behaviour toward referee Chris Kavanagh.
The club shared images from practice at Finch Farm on the official Toffees YouTube on Thursday, with Digne playing a prominent role alongside his teammates in some of the boss’ drills.
Should the 26-year-old come through unscathed from training this week, there would be every likelihood that Ancelotti calls on Digne to return to the starting line-up in South West London when the boss makes his return to a ground he once called home.
Ancelotti will have his work cut out against Chelsea this weekend if he is to achieve a favourable result, as we have not won at Stamford Bridge since an FA Cup tie in February 2011 – losing seven of our last nine visits to the ground across all competitions.
The boss, then, will be keen to name as strong of a line-up as possible, even if it means dropping Baines after a solid display against Manchester United last week.
Who starts at left-back against Chelsea this Sunday?
Baines
Digne
Baines has played the full 90 minutes in each of the recent league matches that Digne has missed through injury, and tore up the left-flank at Goodison Park against the Red Devils with a performance you’d rarely expect from a 35-year-old who is a free agent at the close of the campaign.
The £65,000-per-week veteran took 66 touches last Sunday, won three of five ground duels, two of three aerial contests, delivered four accurate crosses (33.3%), created one big chance to score, made two clearances, two interceptions, two tackles and played three key balls, per Sofa Score data.
But Digne is the club’s first-choice full-back and a fully-fit Frenchman will more than not walk into the side no matter how well Baines plays in his absence, so it would be hard to see the Kirkby-born King featuring again this week if our former FC Barcelona man is indeed ready to go.
Digne has recorded five assists and created seven big chances to score in the top-flight this term whilst taking an average 71 touches per league game, 29.1 accurate passes (75%), 1.2 interceptions, 2.2 tackles won, 2.3 clearances and delivers 2.3 accurate crosses (27%), per Sofa Score.
In other Everton news, the club are mulling over the signing of a €42m ace facing being frozen out at his current side.