Lucas Digne contract comments hint at Carlo Ancelotti’s influence at Everton [Opinion]

Upon signing a new contract keeping him at the club until 2025, Lucas Digne has hinted that Carlo Ancelotti may well be the differential in delivering success to Everton.

‘The Ancelotti Effect’ could be a phrase swiftly bandied around on Merseyside as the French left-back’s deal represents a fresh building block in Ancelotti’s long-term project to push Everton into the upper echelons of European football.

Digne attributed the long-term project as a major factor in putting pen to paper on his new four-year contract extension. He told evertontv [via Daily Mail].

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.

I want to play in Europe and Everton is the best place to do that. 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.

Under Ancelotti’s tutelage this season, Digne has registered six Premier League assists – the joint-most of any defender in the division – despite missing several games with an ankle injury.

The left-back, who has also been deployed in a more advanced left midfield role, has become a creative mainstay at Everton and his new deal is a further signal of intent that he can be a cornerstone of a long-term rebuild at the club.

The ex-Barcelona was reportedly a transfer target for Manchester City in January in a further indication of his coveted status.

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Digne’s comments are indicative of the lift that Ancelotti’s presence has brought to Goodison Park, even if he didn’t explicitly name the manager in his remarks.

There is an acute awareness from the Frenchman that the long-term ambitions of the club are in full motion.