Digne: Valverde was not a good communicator and it was noticeable
The Everton defender doesn't have fond memories of the former Barça boss
Everton and France left-back Lucas Digne has spoken to L'Equipe ahead of this summer's European Championships, looking back on his time at Barcelona in the process.
Digne played under Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde while at Camp Nou and had different experiences with each of the two coaches.
"We only did five of 10 minutes of tactics, but it was exactly what happened at the weekend," Digne said. "When you have coaches like that, it's much easier to be a player."
However, with Valverde, he wasn't so generous.
"I didn't have any connection," he added. "He was not a good communicator and it's noticeable. He even struggled to speak with Messi. He was very reserved and it surprised me at the start."
On Carlo Ancelotti, the new Real Madrid coach who he worked with at Everton last season, he had only nice words.
"He's the best strategist," he said of the Italian. "He analyses the opposition very well and reads the games well. He changes systems well and explains to his players what he wants.
"He also knows how to get his message across with humour. During the pandemic, he asked us not to have parties. And he told us in the following way: 'If you're going to have one, invite me, that way I can keep an eye on you.'"
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