Team News: Rafa Benitez provides illness update on Everton ace Lucas Digne ahead of Chelsea clash
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, as quoted by The Guardian, Rafa Benitez has revealed that Everton ace Lucas Digne shall be out with illness for the clash against Chelsea.
The Toffees are set to take on the Blues on Thursday night as they look to get back to winning ways. Their defeat to Crystal Palace on the weekend was the perfect representation of their form this season, with Benitez under a lot of pressure at Goodison Park.
Thus, it is not the ideal time for them to face the European champions. On top of this, their injury list has increased in recent weeks. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison, Andros Townsend, and Seamus Coleman have been ruled out for the clash. But the Spanish boss provided another damning injury update on yet another player on Wednesday.
The former Liverpool boss ruled out Lucas Digne by stating that the player has fallen ill.
“Lucas Digne is a good player. He was an important player for us and yesterday we did a training session, and he was in the 11 starters. He said he is ill and not available for tomorrow.”
Chelsea boost?
The French international was the chief creator at the Merseyside club last season with seven assists to his name. He has fallen down the pecking order in recent weeks but remains a viable threat to any opponent.
Thus, the Blues would be pleased to not see the 28-year-old in the opposition dugout on Thursday. Man City defeated Leeds 7-0 on Tuesday night, sending a statement across the league of their strength and ability to march on and win the league title.
Liverpool are also set to face Newcastle tonight. Hence, Chelsea would need to maintain the pace and secure a victory, especially against a beleaguered Everton side. However, the London club has its own share of injury concerns.
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N’Golo Kante and Trevoh Chalobah are set to return to the squad but are likely to be on the bench. Mateo Kovacic and Ben Chilwell are yet to return from their respective issues. It is, thus, crucial for us to remain on top and manage the game comfortably rather than in a hectic fashion, as we did against Leeds United on the weekend.
The Spaniard managed us for a brief spell during the 2012-13 season when Roberto Di Matteo was sacked. He left us as our interim manager in the summer of 2013, where the fans showed their support for him. It would be a display of class from our side if we can give him the same reception again.