Chelsea step up efforts to sign Premier League star with both full-backs out for at least two months

After Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah had put Liverpool in a commanding position after 30 minutes at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, few would have expected Chelsea to get anything from the match. 

Thomas Tuchel’s side looked uncharacteristically shaky at the back in the opening exchanges, with the Reds’ strike force squandering other chances to further their lead.

To most people inside the ground’s surprise, Tuchel’s side went into the half-time break level, thanks to goals from Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic, and the game finished 2-2, a result which did neither side many favours.

Both sides were missing key players for the fixture, with Chelsea’s injury list particularly long.

Ben Chilwell, Timo Werner, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Reece James and Andreas Christensen were all missing from the Blues’ squad, while Romelu Lukaku was omitted after a controversial interview with Italian media was released.

Now, with James’ injury set to keep him out for as long as two months, it appears that Tuchel has decided to venture into the transfer market to add options on the flanks.

As per The Sun, Chelsea are ready to up their efforts to sign Everton left-back Lucas Digne on loan.

Chelsea are without Chilwell for the remainder of the season, and Marcos Alonso has failed to impress when deputising for the Englishman so far this term.

The Frenchman has found himself out of favour under Toffees boss Rafa Benitez, and a short-term loan deal could therefore suit all parties.

Ukrainian left-back Vitali Mykolenko has recently arrived at Goodison Park, likely spelling the end of Digne’s season with the club.

With that in mind, Chelsea believe they can prise the 28-year-old away from Merseyside in a deal that will please both clubs and the player.

Chelsea have failed in efforts to recall left-back Emerson Palmieri from a loan spell with French side Lyon, with the Ligue 1 side refusing to let the player return to his parent club.

Digne has fallen out of favour of late, failing to start a single one of Everton’s last six Premier League matches.