Everton defender Lucas Digne has said it was a ‘great honour’ to be named as the club’s Player of the Year last season.
Digne joined Everton in the summer of 2018 in an £18m deal from Barcelona as the Blues sought out a long-term replacement for Leighton Baines.
The Frenchman has proven to be that and more, with a series of impressive performances despite Everton’s struggles.
His excellent displays quickly earned him the approval of the Everton fanbase, who, alongside his teammates, did not hesitate to name him as their Player of the Year.
And, speaking to France’s Football 365, he has admitted that was something that gave him plenty of pride on a personal level.
“I was happy, very happy. It was a great honour,” he told the website.
“This season, I was one of the four captains, wearing the armband for certain games. It is a great sign of confidence.
“I like responsibility, and that perhaps shows that I am more mature as a player and as a person. I have to be more mature, more experienced.
“I have played more than 250 games for big clubs in big championships. I am now 26 years old and I am entering what must be the best years for a football player. Maybe it’s just natural.”
Digne has become one of, if not the most creative player on Everton’s team, racking up assists and key passes with his surging runs down the left flank and pinpoint crossing.
Last season saw him finish as the second-best creator in the team, racking up four assists in the league, just behind Gylfi Sigurdsson who finished the campaign with six.
This year he leads the charts alongside compatriot Djibril Sidibé with four to his name and admits such statistics are important to him.
“In England, it has become an important part of my attacking game, creating opportunities for my teammates,” he added.
“When I see the stats, it tells me that I did a good job of creating opportunities for my team. With all these key passes, I’m happy — even more, this season than the previous one.
“To be honest, I appreciate good stats. Statistics are important because they are facts. They clearly show much of your performance.
“I use them in my work as a player. History of knowing where I am good, where I need to improve. It is also for development and for motivation.”
