Everton Transfer Updates: Lampard eyes Chelsea duo, Cornet & Dennis latest
By Joel Edkins
Despite the primary objective of survival being achieved, Frank Lampard’s first six months in charge of Everton were largely underwhelming.
Highers-ups at Goodison Park no doubt hoped his arrival would spark the desired new manager ‘bounce’ after the club fell into disarray under controversial predecessor Rafa Benítez.
No such phenomenon materialised, however, with Everton falling to seven losses in their first nine Premier League outings with the former Chelsea boss at the helm.
The underwhelming start could be attributed to an optimistic tactical approach owing to Lampard’s inexperience managing a club in his new side’s predicament.
Lampard amended his initial naivety as the season drew to a close, setting his side up to be more robust and play to their strengths on the counter with the likes of Anthony Gordon and the now departed Richarlison.
Cynics would argue Everton, along with Leeds, whom themselves welcomed an inexperienced manager in Jesse Marsch, were helped by relegation-condemned Burnley’s ineptitude.
Irrespective of the cause, the effect has seen the Toffees retain their Premier League status for another season and the order of the day is to now turn the attention to equalling or improving this in 2022/23.
The management team will again have been naïve to expect free-spending investment during the summer transfer window considering Everton’s be-known financial precarity, but the amount, or lack thereof, to this point will be triggering warning signs.
They started the window with a coup after securing James Tarkowski on a free transfer but are yet to follow his signing up notwithstanding rumours linking them with potential signings. Richarlison’s £50m transfer to Tottenham has raised funds and should allow for an extent of the speculation to substantiate.