There are times when one door closes and another opens. Something like that happened Lucas Dignea talented left-back who experienced the worst of being a specialist in this position in an environment as demanding and stressful as the Camp Nou. He went unnoticed during his time at Barça, only to emerge again in a different context: the Premier League.
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HIS STEP INTO BARÇA… WITH A PREMIER GOAL
In his two years under Luis Enrique He made a total of 46 appearances, but was never able to finally establish himself as the perfect replacement for Jordi Alba.. Whether due to external pressure, his adaptation to the style of play or other circumstances, he failed to do so. However, he did so in England. In summer 2018 Digne signed for Everton for 20 million euros.
During this first spell in Liverpool’s sky blue team, the French full-back enjoyed great seasons and established himself as a regular in the team, then managed by Marco Silva. With Carlo Ancelotti He was also very important on the bench (2019-2021). After 127 games played with the “Toffees”, Aston Villa decided on him and received 30 million euros in January 2022. Curiously, he arrived a few days later than Philippe Coutinho, who went on loan.
THE FINAL LEAP
At Aston Villa he first discovered that the coach who had signed him Steven GerrardHe should be removed so he could be Unai Emery who would replace him in office. As soon as he arrived, the Hondarribia coach signed his favorite left-back to make him feel at home: Alex Moreno. This movement forced Lucas Digne fighting for position and being content with multiple substitutions in important games.
However, today he seems to have regained his “status” in the team. The Injury to Alex Moreno It opened the doors to success for him and he played in ten games as a starting left-back for Emery. With him in the field, Aston Villa are top of their group in the Conference League and He has achieved Champions League places in the Premier League table.
At 30 years old, Digne is in his footballing maturity and in top form. In Emery’s team’s last away duel against Tottenham, he played the entire ninety minutes and was instrumental in his team’s victory. Quick on the pitch, attentive to arguments and with the ability, so characteristic of his game, to offer his teammates balls with a “goal flavor”. One of the best left-handed shots from across the Premier League.