Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Niels Nkounkou will get some game time tomorrow when Everton travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley.
As quoted by the Liverpool Echo, the Italian said: ‘Nkounkou was not in the squad because I had 11 players, I put Iwobi on the left. He’s still young, he needs more experience, he needs to work more. He will have time in the next game because we have a lot of games.’
The Frenchman’s opportunity has come about due to Lucas Digne’s ankle injury, which looks set to sideline him for around two to three months.
Nkounkou was signed from Marseille by Marcel Brands over the summer. However, he has only made one Premier League appearance so far, along with three outings in the Carabao Cup.
That mean Ancelotti has only used the left-back on just four occasions.
Having said that, the 20-year-old has still managed to impress.
Everton supporters were left overjoyed with the Pontoise-born defender’s display against Salford City in the Carabao Cup, after he caught the eye with his attacking intent and devilish left-foot.
Despite that promise, patience should be afforded to Nkounkou if he fails to have a good game against Sean Dyche’s men.
The left-back is still very young, and has only started one Premier League game.
Having said that, and with all due respect to Burnley, this might be a nice game to throw Nkounkou into – the Clarets have only won one of their nine Premier League matches this season.
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