Former Premier League striker Darren Bent was left shocked after it was revealed that the future of Lucas Digne was thought to be vital to Carlo Ancelotti before the Italian became Everton boss last week.

According to Football Insider, Ancelotti looked to gain assurances over Digne and forward Richarlison before signing the dotted line - and while Bent had no qualms over the latter, the ex-Spurs attacker was puzzled by Ancelotti’s supposedly outspoken desire to retain the services of the Frenchman at Goodison Park.

Bent, who was speaking to Football Insider on the issue, was surprised that Digne was so highly thought of by the new Everton boss.

He said: “I’m unconvinced by him, to be fair.

“I understand why Richarlison would be a priority, but I just don’t get it with Digne as there are several players I’d be putting ahead of him for being more vital to that team.”

In fairness to Ancelotti, his reported liking of Digne would perhaps go along with the opinion of predecessor Marco Silva, who made the left-back one of his most frequent players during the duration of last season as well as the start to the current campaign.

Meanwhile, Digne’s experience playing at the top level in Spain and France - where he won a combined three league titles - would also surely be in the 26-year-old’s favour in terms of standing out in Ancelotti’s new team.

Though that he was thought to be potentially pivotal to Ancelotti’s own move to Goodison Park is perhaps where Bent’s confusion stems from.

Digne was not part of France’s World Cup-winning squad (unlike on-loan full-back Djibril Sidibe), while his step away from top-level European clubs like Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain suggests he is perhaps not capable of walking his way into Ancelotti’s planned transformation of the Everton squad.

Meanwhile, his £18m price tag is dwarfed by that of Richarlison’s, who joined the Toffees for £50m days earlier.

So while there are arguments on both sides, Bent’s bemusement is perhaps not entirely surprising.

Everton fans, how vital is Digne to the team? Let us know what you think!