Lille-Aston Villa | Why Lucas Digne never established himself in the French team

In a season and a half under the orders of Rudi Garcia, Lucas Digne left only good memories in Lille, where he played 62 matches in all competitions (L1, C1, Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue). Steeve Elana worked with him during the 2012-13 financial year, his last with LOSC before his departure to PSG for 15 million euros, and was also very positively marked by the player. “He was eager to learn and was very attentive to elders“, the former goalkeeper tells us before listing the many qualities of his ex-teammate.

“On the pitch, I liked his reliability, his speed, his quality of percussion and crosses. He’s a crossing and assist machineunderlines Steve Elana. He also has a great shot. Besides, I’m happy that he has taken the lead on set pieces lately. As he is very respectful, I think he was less daring before. Her downsides ? Maybe at the time he lacked a bit of aggression, in the good sense of the word. But with the English championship, he is doing pretty well now.”

In addition to the left back, the former goalkeeper, who also played for Caen, Brest and Gazélec Ajaccio, was especially marked by the man. “I met him outside and he was like the player, that is to say very square. He has a very good entourage and great parentshe notes. In the end, he has the career he deserves. I’m not surprised by its evolution.” A development already noticed at the time. In the summer of 2013, Lucas Digne became world champion with the French U20 team.

On his left side, he impresses his opponents and observers with his talent and consistency. With Alphonse Aréola, Paul Pogba and other Florian Thauvin, he was regularly cited at the time to become a future essential player for the France A team. In the company of Didier Deschamps’ Blues, in fact, he honored his first selection in friendly against the Netherlands (2-0) in March 2014. As tradition dictates, the player called to the “DD” list at the end of winter has a very good chance of being part of his final list 2 months later. Which was the case for Lucas Digne, summoned for the World Cup in Brazil.

In the costume of a new arrival, the native of Meaux participates in the entire match of the third day of the group stage against Ecuador (0-0). The rest of the time, he remains on the bench, in the shadow of the experienced Patrice Evra. Two years later, the current left back of the Villans relives the same situation at Euro 2016, where he never comes into play. Then at the 2018 World Cup, Didier Deschamps prefers Lucas Hernandez and Benjamin Mendy, not completely recovered to 100% after a long knee injury. Lucas Digne therefore remains at the dock in the list of eleven substitutes.

At Euro 2021, he is back in the France group and plays the second group match against Hungary (1-1) before returning to the bench against Portugal (2-2, entered seven minutes from the end ) and Switzerland (3-3 ap, 8-7 tab). Present in the victorious group of the 2021 Nations League (no minutes on the clock), the former Barcelona player remains once again on the floor for the 2022 World Cup.

“It is the coach who makes his choicestries to justify Steve Elana. Perhaps he felt at certain times that Lucas had not provided certain guarantees. Afterwards, you also have to take the other players into consideration. For my part, I don’t remember seeing a player overwhelmed when he wore the blue jersey. I think he was not rewarded at times.”

Pierre Mankowski, coach of Lucas Digne in the French U18, U19 and U20 team, believes that his discretion was lacking in his ability to win among the Blues. “He’s a good guy, attentive, respectful and very, very well mannered. When I coached him, he was a kid that everyone loved. With him, everything is normal. He is the ideal player because he respects the game system, he stays within the framework. But I think he has always lacked that grain of madness that will catch the eye of observershe tells us. As a coach, it’s such a treat and relaxing. With him, there is no problem. But from time to time, I think he should ask a little more. If we tell him: “tomorrow, you are going to be a substitute”, he will not complain and rebel. He will be disappointed, ask for explanations politely, give arguments and work again. It’s unfortunate to say, but he’s too clean.”

The former Espoirs coach is convinced: the double French champion with PSG (2014 and 2025) must “show himself more in the media so that people are more interested in him“But also on the ground where he values ​​it too much.”respectful of defensive play“compared to those who also apply for the left-back position in the French team.

“With him, it’s always good. But I would like to add: can do even betterinsists the ex-technician. He could move up more in his lane because he has the physical capacity. In Blue, Lucas Hernandez brings more attack because he takes more risks and hits on goal.” In Villeneuve d’Ascq on Thursday evening, Lucas Digne will once again have the opportunity to show the French public and Didier Deschamps that there remains a viable solution for the left-back position. Even if the two Hernandez brothers have always one step ahead in view of the Euro…