Updated:
Jan 5, 2023
After four defeats in five, it looks as if Frank Lampard could be on the verge of being axed as Everton’s Boss. The 44-year-old was appointed by the Toffees after Rafael Benitez was sacked at the end of January 2022, and managed to keep the Merseyside team in the Premier League, after a dramatic 3-2 win at home to Crystal Palace.
But this season, it seems as if things have reverted back to the way it was when the former Chelsea Boss took charge.
Poor Transfer Window?
One of the reasons for Everton’s struggles this season could be the money they spent in last summer’s Transfer Window.
Letting go of talisman Richarlison seems to be a big mistake as apart from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has been injury-prone this season, the goals are really starting to dry up for the Toffees. Demari Grey is the Club’s top scorer with just five goals in 20 games. This is why you would be expected the signing of Neal Maupay to boost things up in terms of their attacking prowess.
The other thing the Toffees are lacking is that creative spark in midfield, which they had with James Rodrigues back in 2020/21 under Ancelotti. Right now, it’s as if they are trying to grind out results, rather than being brave and playing attacking football.
Another concern for Lampard’s side is that they have conceded 10 goals in their last four games, which means that there is some issue with their defending, as they are without a clean sheet in six games.
What is also not ideal is the fact that the club have only spent £ 78.20 million this season, and hasn’t found a world-class player to help them score or create goals despite having the biggest budget outside the top six.
Adamou Onana (£35 million) is their most expensive signing and is a defensive midfielder.
This is where the club’s transfer policy needs to be questioned. Are they really giving Lampard the luxury to buy the players that he wants to take the team forward?
There is also the issue with a number of players’ contracts ending in the summer, and then the question will be are those contracts worth renewing, and if not then what is the approach that they will use in the Transfer Window?
In August 2022, Liverpool Echo described Everton’s Transfer Policy as ‘Lazy’ in the sense that Chelsea was looking to sign attacking midfielder Anthony Gordon, and it ages for the Club to reject the bid.
And now there are rumours that say that Tottenham Hotspur is now interested in the 21-year-old. Sometimes when a player is being constantly talked about as a transfer target, it can start to affect their performance, particularly the mental aspect of their football.
In Thursday’s press conference, Lampard was still confident of pulling the Toffees out of the relegation zone and is keen to stay on as Manager.
“When you’re in and around this area that’s the reality,” “But if we win the next league game we’ll be out of the bottom three probably. It’s part of the process. “I’m very aware of what I came in to do in this job. I want to be a success at this club. Any challenges that come along then I’ll take them on and actually enjoy them. “I come to work to try to improve a bit every day – myself, the team, the squad and everything. “I enjoy working for this club, it’s a real honour for me. That’s why I say I don’t need reassurances.”
Frank Lampard: BBC SPORT
But football is a cruel game, and there are many teams in the bottom half, such as West Ham and Wolves, who are also in the battle to avoid relegation.
After the FA Cup tie with Manchester United, Everton’s next two opponents are Southampton at home, and West Ham away, so it is crucial that Lampard rejuvenates his players, and pulls off a string of results. If he does not do so, it could be a sad end to his time at Goodison Park.
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