Key Everton man signs new deal and hints Ancelotti can oversee CL dream

Lucas Digne believes Everton will give him the chance to fulfil his Champions League dream after signing a new contract with the club.

The France left-back, who arrived at the club in the summer of 2018 from Barcelona for £18million, has signed a new contract which extends his stay until 2025.

Digne previously played in the Champions League with Barcelona, Roma, PSG and Lille. Everton are the only club he has played for without featuring in Europe’s elite competition.

However, Carlo Ancelotti has overseen some steady progress at Goodison Park. That has convinced 27-year-old Digne to renew his deal – as Ancelotti suggested would be the case recently.

Speaking to the club’s official channels, Digne revealed his motivation for committing his future to Everton.

“We have a big project with the club and can reach something very good at the end of this season and for the next few years,” Digne told evertontv.

“I want to play in Europe, I want to play for the national team and for the national team the competition is really strong so I have to play at the best level.

“I play in the best league and I want to play in the best cup in Europe. And I want to do that with Everton.

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“I have seen the progress every year since joining the club, we are building a strong team.

“It was clear in my mind that I want to continue with Everton. All the team improved this season because we are stronger than last year.”

Digne hails ‘perfect’ Ancelotti

Ancelotti clearly played a key role in convincing Digne to stay, and the Lille academy graduate had some words of praise for the manager.

“Offensively and defensively, I worked a lot tactically with the manager,” he explained. “He’s won three Champions Leagues, he has this winning mentality.

“He brings something different, he has the experience – he knows when he can relax the group, when he can push us. He is the perfect coach for us.”

Digne has the highest number of assists (six) for a Premier League defender this season despite missing seven matches due to an ankle-ligament injury sustained in November.

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