Lucas Digne explains Steven Gerrard’s ‘incredible’ skills on the training pitch
Lucas Digne says there’s TWO ex- Liverpool superstars lighting up Aston Villa’s training sessions these days.
The arrival of Brazilian star Philippe Coutinho has inevitably caused quite a buzz around the place.
But France international Digne, a £25m arrival from Everton last month, says it’s Steven Gerrard who is also making people stand back and stare.
Villa go into Wednesday night's game with Leeds with Digne revealing the former England captain looks more like a squad member than the man in charge.
Gerrard was the main reason the 28-year-old decided to bail out at Goodison after a row with Rafa Benitez.
And he’s not been disappointed, saying: “He sometimes takes part in the training sessions. He has lost nothing. He’s still really amazing and his passes are incredible.
“I grew up in France watching him as a player. He is not only a legend in England. Everybody knows his name.
“He was a massive reason I came here. He presented me with the project for the club and how it wanted to be up near the top of the league.”
Everything else is to his liking too, as he says: “I have settled in well. Villa is amazing. I have never seen facilities like this. It’s crazy.
“You have someone for everything here – booking an appointment for your family, in the gym you have someone for the lower body, the upper body. You don’t have any excuses!
“Add that to the signings we have made it all looks positive in every way.”
One addition which really sent shockwaves through the game was Gerrard’s capture of Coutinho from Barcelona.
Digne was less fazed than most having spent time with the midfield star during his time at Barca.
“I knew him before he came here and, for me, it’s a big pleasure to play with him again.
“He is just an unbelievable player. He has so much quality and has that magic touch.”
Digne now hopes to push his claims for a World Cup place later this year after suffering massive disappointments in recent years.
He missed the 23-man cut for the 2018 World Cup despite being first choice until the March and then suffered heartache in the Euros after injury in France’s 2-2 draw with Portugal ended his participation after just seven minutes.
Digne adds: “The World Cup is a target for players all over the world. Disappointments happen in all sports – I accept that. It’s part of your career.”
But Digne says he couldn’t be enjoying life more with everything falling into place on and off the field.
“This is just the best time of my life. Most of my life away from the pitch now revolves around my kids. All of my time off is spent with my son and daughter,
“My daughter just turned one and she has just started walking. My son is two-and-a-half and started play school in the summer.
“It’s amazing. I go in the park and play football with him. It’s just the best thing.”
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