Apparently we want him and Everton are willing to sell, though Newcastle are most keen:

https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/chelsea-fc-transfer-rumours-news/2021/12/20/22845977/chelsea-considering-move-for-wantaway-everton-left-back-lucas-digne-report

I like Digne, but he has been poor this season. I'd rather it was a loan.

I’m a fan but he doesn’t have a dodgy game or three in him. 

Just some light news for your Tuesday

We have to move this winter, can't finish this season with Alonso or CHO/Pulisic at left wing back. Everton are in a really sh*tty financial situation right now so i don't think they would demand a ridiculous price for him. Emerson simply doesnt offer enough and i have not seen Maatsen play at all this season so can't judge him.

Personally think he would be a great signing and what a good opportunity with what is happening at Everton. Great left foot and good at set pieces and can move quicker than a snail. The only problem I could see is Newcastle throwing big wages at players but if he wants the big money over success then I wouldn't want him anyway.

I always rated him, he would be a good option. Maybe his crosses are not as good as Chilwell's but he has good technique and he's able to defend.

Apparently we have been in contact with Everton and are in discussions for a loan with option to buy deal. 

It suits Everton as they get a player off their books Rafa does not want and net a loan fee, said to be around 3.5mill pounds. All his wages covered by us. Buy option set at around 30mill.

Perhaps some kind of swap involving Barkley?

As I already said, Digne is a fraud. His performances have been underwhelming for some time. Bring back Emerson.

I think as a wb, not a lb, he would be a cracking option. Especially if we get a try before you buy!

5 hours ago, Valerie said:

Perhaps some kind of swap involving Barkley?

We’d probably have to pay them to take him!

2 hours ago, Munkworth said:

We’d probably have to pay them to take him!

They’d probably pay us to take Digne!

‘Here’s 20m and Digne!’

‘No please let us pay you to take Barkley off our hands!’

Apparently Everton have asked for Ross Barkley in a loan exchange. We have moved to the head of the pack because of this.

Ross going there woild see us cover a fair amount of his wages and all of Dignes, however no loan fee for the latter anymore and both sides would get buy options. This one appears to have legs.

I think he ticks a lot of boxes:

- Decent left-back
- Experienced Premier League player
- Can run
- Stepped into a player as good as Leighton Baines' shoes without any problems
- Short-term deal
- Doesn't like Rafa Benitez

4 hours ago, Adamrb said:

I think as a wb, not a lb, he would be a cracking option. Especially if we get a try before you buy!

A cracking wb option, surely. With 0 assists this season.

18 minutes ago, wizardous said:

A cracking wb option, surely. With 0 assists this season.

14 over previous 2 seasons, pre Rafa

3 minutes ago, Adamrb said:

14 over previous 2 seasons, pre Rafa

Yeah it's surely Rafa's fault that he's in terrible form. 😁

14 minutes ago, wizardous said:

Yeah it's surely Rafa's fault that he's in terrible form. 😁

Rafa’s crap tactics obviously - he’s always preferred right backs, it’s his go to substitution after all. 

He is a wing back and not a full back. Much the same as Alonso in that regard. His best form at Everton was as a wing back. Manuel has been making him play as a defensive full back which is why he his form has dropped. 

If he came to us he would be played in a position he would be far more comfortable in.

9 hours ago, wizardous said:

As I already said, Digne is a fraud. His performances have been underwhelming for some time. Bring back Emerson.

Thats why people prefer a loan.

This deal makes sense, especially a loan. We need a proven premier league left back, not someone who needs time to settle. He has played with Rudiger and Silva before, hes experienced, played for top sides and not that long ago he was one of the top left backs in the league. His performances have dropped which makes me wary. Never a good to buy a player whose form is poor, thats why i prefer a loan to see what he can do. 

Gives us a chance also in the summer to reacess the situation. What will happen to Emerson, Maatsen can show what he can do in pre season etc.

11 hours ago, wizardous said:

Bring back Emerson.

If this is the answer, then it is the wrong question being asked !

If we're looking to buy him, we might as well gave the chance to our youth players. No more Premier League cast-offs

23 minutes ago, Deino said:

If we're looking to buy him, we might as well gave the chance to our youth players. No more Premier League cast-offs

To be fair, it's Rafa Benitez that doesn't think he is good enough, the same Rafa Benitez that wouldn't play Terry because apparently Terry couldn't play every week anymore. When Benitez left, Terry went on and played pretty much every game he was available in for the next 3 seasons. Basically, what I am saying is never trust Rafa Benitez, if he can get the Terry situation that wrong, he shouldn't be trusted with anything.