Marco Silva believes Lucas Digne could be the best left-back in the Premier League.
The £18m signing from Barcelona has enjoyed a impressive first season at Goodison.
Digne has displaced Leighton Baines as the Blues' left-back following his arrival from the Nou Camp and has started 29 of the club's 34 Premier League games.
And Silva believes the 25-year-old's performances make him the leading player in his position in England - and ahead of an old charge of the manager's.
"He is one of the best, I don't have doubts about that. He is proving that," Silva said.
"I do not have all the names in my mind at the moment but Lucas has stayed there with the best.
"If he is the best one....always I will push for my players but Lucas is there in the top list of the best left-backs."
Silva coached Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson during their time at Hull City and though he admires the Reds' defender, he says Digne has the edge.
Read our exclusive interview with Digne's agent on his first season at Everton
"Robertson is a very good one also. He is a fantastic boy, a fantastic professional," Silva said.
The Leighton Baines stat that highlights Lucas Digne's importance to Marco Silva's Everton
"He is our rival but he deserves everything he is achieving in his career but Lucas is Lucas, and Lucas, for me, is the best one because he is our player and playing in our blue shirt.
"We are really happy with him, he is enjoying his football and our fans love him and he has been everything we expected when we signed a player such as him."
