Rafa Benitez has perplexed some figures close to the Everton squad, who have questioned his decision to take set-piece duties away from Lucas Digne, according to The Athletic.
The France defender has had an underwhelming start to the term compared to his previous seasons at Goodison Park. He is yet to record an assist after 12 games in all competitions.
Digne had established himself as one of the best attacking full-backs in England in his prior three campaigns on Merseyside. Thriving from the off after an £18m move from Barcelona.
Digne had provided 20 assists and scored four goals in 112 games for Everton under Marco Silva and Carlo Ancelotti. But is now having to play a more defensive role under Benitez.
The Athletic note Digne is making fewer crosses from open play under the Spaniard (3.3 per 90-minutes) than under Ancelotti last term (5.2). He is also playing fewer passes into the box (5 to 7 per 90) and averaging fewer expected assists with just 0.12 to 0.2 last term.
Those close to Digne note other factors have also hindered the Everton ace’s efforts. With Benitez missing Dominic Calvert-Lewin since August, plus James Rodriguez’s summer exit.
The trio formed a vital part of Ancelotti’s plans, with Rodriguez switching play to Digne who would cross to Calvert-Lewin. But Benitez has instead focused more on counter-attacking.
Benitez has also stripped Digne of set-piece duties since replacing Ancelotti at the Everton helm. With the Frenchman no longer responsible for overseeing most dead ball situations.
Should Benitez put Digne back on Everton set-pieces?
Digne attempted passes with 63 free-kicks in the Premier League last season and took a shot from three, per FBref. Only Gylfi Sigurdsson (7) and Rodriguez (4) shot from more.
Only goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (101) also passed from more of the Blues’ free-kicks last term. While Digne shared Everton’s corners (42) with Sigurdsson (57) and Rodriguez (50).
Digne is now sharing Everton’s corners with Andros Townsend in a more direct style under Benitez. With the full-back taking 15 out-swingers to one in-swinger, while the summer signing has taken 11 in-swingers and two out-swingers so far this term, per FBref.
Demarai Gray has also taken seven in-swinging corners and four out-swinging deliveries. Whereas Digne, Sigurdsson and Rodriguez had an even share of Everton’s corners across the board last season.
Additionally, Allan (12) and Townsend (11) have only taken marginally fewer of Everton’s free-kicks than Digne (19) this term. Only Pickford (27) has taken more than the trio.
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