Rafa Benitez is facing a selection headache ahead of Everton visiting Chelsea on Thursday, with Seamus Coleman and Lucas Digne both possibly missing the Stamford Bridge affair.
The Blues boss has announced Digne will be unavailable to make his return in south-west London after developing an illness. Benitez omitted the French full-back from his last two Premier League squads, but planned to recall the 28-year-old in midweek.
Digne reported his illness on Wednesday morning, after training with Benitez’s intended Everton first-team to face Chelsea on Tuesday. The Toffees boss must now reconsider his left-back choice, which Ben Godfrey occupied in meetings with Arsenal and Crystal Palace.
Benitez addresses Coleman injury situation
Benitez may also have to change his right-back selection when Everton travel to Thomas Tuchel’s title-chasing side. Coleman has opened the Toffees’ past nine top-flight fixtures, but sustained bruising and soft tissue damage to his foot in Sunday’s defeat to Palace.
The Republic of Ireland international is ‘pushing’ to face Chelsea, and Benitez will make a game-day call. His inclusion would be a boost with Andros Townsend and Richarlison out.
“Andros has a broken bone [in his foot], so that takes some time [to heal],” Benitez said. “We need to see what the specialists say. Seamus has a swollen foot, but he is pushing.
“He is someone who wants to help. So, we are assessing him and we will decide about that tomorrow [Thursday].”
Benitez could also be without Yerry Mina in London, with the Colombian recovering from a calf injury. The defender has played just 31-minutes in the Blues’ last nine league games.
Delph can solve Benitez’s injury dilemma when Everton face Chelsea
Benitez will face a big selection dilemma for Everton’s trip to Chelsea if both Coleman and Digne are sidelined. Their absences, plus that of Mina, would leave Mason Holgate, Michael Keane, Godfrey and Jonjoe Kenny as the Toffees’ options.
Benitez, then, can follow Pep Guardiola’s example and use Fabian Delph at left-back when Everton face Chelsea. His inclusion in the line-up would free Godfrey to move over to the right again and stand in for Coleman.
Kenny has not shown Benitez he is a worthy inclusion since the Spaniard took charge of the Merseysiders. The 24-year-old right-back has only played 10 league minutes in September.
Guardiola, meanwhile, often used Delph as a full-back toward the end of the midfielder’s time at Manchester City. He also hailed the Toffees’ £10m signing’s ability in defence after a 1-0 win over Chelsea in September 2017.
“The last few games Fabian Delph has played and he had an outstanding performance,” Guardiola said, via the Mirror. “He is a guy that doesn’t lose the ball, he is aggressive and clever. I am so happy for him after the way he played last season.”
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