Delph injury
With Lucas Digne out for a significant period, Carlo Ancelotti is struggling for left-sided defensive options and it was made worse by Fabian Delph’s hamstring injury.
The former Manchester City and Aston Villa midfielder strode off on an mazy run impressively taking the ball past several Burnley players but pulled up clutching the back of his leg in the tell-tale sign of a hamstring pull.
Ancelotti decided to move the more comfortable right-sided defender Ben Godfrey to left-back. The former Norwich City defender has been used in multiple positions under the Italian coach since his arrival and now is finding his feet in a completely new role.
Long-term, Digne has an ankle ligament injury but is reportedly on getting back as soon as possible but it could still be some time before the starting France international is back on the pitch.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 15: Lucas Digne of Everton receives medical treatment during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton FC at Old Trafford on December 15, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
“It is a big loss because he is a fantastic left back,” said Ancelotti on the Frenchman’s absence.
“One of the best in Europe in this moment. We have to manage this, unfortunately during a season can happen that you lose important players and we have to be able to manage the situation.”
Digne posted on social media that he was working hard to get back into contention for Ancelotti’s squad and looking ahead they may need him to accelerate those plans significantly.
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Everton’s next three fixtures are against Chelsea, Leicester City and Arsenal and they could be in for a tricky time already in need of a recovery job on their recent poor form.
