Lampard pleased with summer's transfer business

02/09/2022 42comments  |  Jump to last

Frank Lampard says he is happy with the shape of Everton’s squad now that the transfer window has finally closed and he can get on with working with the players at his disposal.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Merseyside derby, the manager explained the rationale behind the business the club did in the market this summer while also confirming that Abdoulaye Doucouré is back in training, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin set to train with the group next week after recovering from the knee injury he sustained almost on the eve of the campaign.

Everton bolstered their midfield with the acquisition of Idrissa Gueye and James Garner who came in as the seventh and eighth signings of a busy summer at Finch Farm.

“I’m very pleased and pleased the window has shut,” Lampard smiled. ”We were very strategic in the way we approach it, joined up. When I look at the squad I’m happy. Now it's time to get our heads down and work.

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“Gana Gueye is a player for the now. The club know him very well. He’s deeper-lying midfield player — a number 6 stroke a number 8 which is what he’s been doing at PSG a lot so it’s great option for me and a different player of profile to what we’ve got. So, I’m really pleased with that one.

“With James Garner, it’s [the flip side] of the strategy — a young player with lots of energy and lots of quality who will improve with us and improve us.

“So I think it’s an example of us trying to move forward in a sensible direction — improve the team, improve the core of the team in midfield, get energy [and competition] in there.”

Lampard was asked whether he agreed with the sentiment of some of the fans that Everton are light up front having failed to add another striker before last night’s transfer deadline.

“We’ve got Dominic Calvert-Lewin, coming back into training next week; we’ve got Neal Maupay who’s come in and hasn’t played a game yet; we’ve got Salomon Rondon as a centre-forward; we’ve got our wingers where I’ve got different options on both sides; and Alex Iwobi can play pretty much every position on the pitch, basically!

“I think we have to be careful to not bring someone in for the sake of bringing them in. We’ve got a short period until the window opens again because of the World Cup so I’m very happy with what we’ve got.

“The squad is strong. I don’t think there are many teams in the Premier League who play with one up front as a reference that have three, four or five. You stack up strikers, it’s not easy to manage.

“At the same time, we’re always looking at can we improve and who will it improve us and looking at on a broad scale in terms of does it help the squad, is the player going to develop with us, are they going to make an impact now.

“So we took a very considered view on it and I’m happy.”

 

Reader Comments (42)

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Matt Byrne
1 Posted 02/09/2022 at 19:00:07
There are lots of positives. Coady and Tarkowski are players I've rated at their previous clubs so most will agree we are stronger at the back. Gana in front of them will be a huge asset if he can replicate earlier performances whilst we all have high hopes with Onana, possibly with Gana and Iwobi in a three.

We must hope though that Maupay does okay. He may surprise us with a few goals and a fighting attitude. Brighton fans seem to rate him. Without talisman Richarlison I do think we are weaker up front. We must pray that Calvert-Lewin can get fit and stay on the pitch.

Andy Meighan
2 Posted 02/09/2022 at 19:25:02
Wouldn't necessarily agree with the Maupay shot, Matt. A lot of their fans couldn't wait to see the back of him. That said, it's about opinions.

I for one ain't too unhappy we never got Broja. 6 in 32 for Southampton and, though I don't know much about him, he was hardly ever mentioned.

Brereton Diaz, I am delighted we never got, poor goalscoring record apart from one season and I don't care what anyone says, he wouldn't have cut it in the Premier League.

Yes, we are a bit light up top but, if Frank is happy, so am I.

Steavey Buckley
3 Posted 02/09/2022 at 19:26:12
Transfers at the last moment are okay for maybe 1 or 2 players who maybe needed to cover the unexpected loss of a player or 2 through injury. But it is always best to have the players needed already signed up before the season begins.

Yet, I do believe, Frank has missed out on signing a quality striker or 2. But to have Rondon sitting on the bench is a clear reminder.

Shaun Laycock
4 Posted 02/09/2022 at 19:41:11
Are we stronger at the end than we were in the beginning? Yes we are. Job done.
Mark Frere
5 Posted 02/09/2022 at 19:46:01
Although I'm pleased with the signings in defence and midfield, I do worry about how toothless we still are further up the pitch.

Maupay misses sitters for fun (shocking signing). McNiel was poor last season for Burnley and has started this season in the same vein. Would much have preferred Cornet -who would've cost the same price - and has more pace and goals to offer.

Gray blows hot and cold. Gordon needs to Improve his end product. DCL can't be relied upon to keep fit.

I don't know the exact financial constraints the hierarchy have to work under... but I would feel much more confident if we'd have signed another striker and goal-scoring winger on top of what we already have.

Dean Williams
6 Posted 02/09/2022 at 20:42:54
How can you be happy without signing a front man. We knew we needed one before the season started, now 5 games in and still no focal figure. Imagine how many points we would have with a proven striker.
Jack Ledwidge
7 Posted 02/09/2022 at 21:05:33
We’ve gone through a horrible last season. Stayed up by the skin of our teeth.
Frank and Kevin have identified areas where we need improvement. This is a 3 transfer window job not an overnight quick fix.
First was the backbone and spirit. Tarkowski and Coady bring leadership and vocal help.
With 3 midfielders arriving Gana, Onana and Garner it gives us strength in depth. Remember last season we’d nothing on the bench.
On the forward situation it’s a bit more tricky. Sure DCL will return and Maupay will I’m sure chip in with some goals and assists. Signing what we need up front is both expensive and fraught with danger. Getting a big name and doesn’t score adds more problems.
We need to take baby steps.
Already despite our 3 point haul we do look better. Have faith - things will improve.
Martin Mason
8 Posted 02/09/2022 at 21:12:37
My knowledge of football, like most fan's, is small compared with the professionals at the club but it looks to me as though the buys we have made balance the team much better apart from up front which seems to leave us very weak but let's just see how it goes. Let's give the maximum support that we can to the players that have come in. I'm still going for 10th at the end of this season with hope for improvement next season.
Ed Prytherch
9 Posted 02/09/2022 at 21:12:38
For the past couple of years on TW there has been a mantra of get rid of the deadwood and we have made good progress. Some will include Michael Keane on that list and he would be at Notts Forest now had Holgate not got injured, The others are off the wage bill, at least for this season. The players coming in are a nice mix of youth, experience and leadership. It looks like we did not have the funds to buy a striker who is better than DCL.
Nick White
10 Posted 02/09/2022 at 21:22:42
Jack👏👏
Kieran Kinsella
11 Posted 02/09/2022 at 21:23:45
A lot of people talking strikers but this is the premier league so it's not just a case of any old striker will do. People are complaining about Rondon and Maupay but both have a proven history of scoring in the EPL. When Maupay was a division lower he was prolific which suggests the likes of Brereton may not be so great in the EPL. Then you've the likes of Bakayoko or indeed Morata who came in from overseas and struggled. So I think with our lack of money Frank doesn't want to spend what little we have getting in a body who is probably at best on the level of Maupay and at worst on the level of Rondon if he broke both his legs.
Nick White
12 Posted 02/09/2022 at 21:24:31
Sorry, just to add, Jack, completely agree!
Anthony Hawkins
13 Posted 02/09/2022 at 21:25:55
At this point Frank, as with any sensible manager, is going to say they are happy. They want the squad to be positive with a strong mental attitude. Any manager that came out saying they were unhappy would be undermining the squad and put doubt into their minds and we'd probably see a poor performance from the off. It's the clever reply.

Of course every manager would love a quality goal scoring striker - they'd be lying to say otherwise.

What we have after the transfer window is a significantly stronger squad and one that actually has a fighting chance to finish in the top 10.

Iain Johnston
14 Posted 02/09/2022 at 21:27:52
Love it!

"We've not bought a striker"... really? We have bought Maupay. Don't know if you've noticed but he's a centre forward or 2nd striker.

" Yeah but Maupay is shit and can't score"... really? He's no worse than Richarlison.

Sick of this constant negative bullshit.


Tony Abrahams
15 Posted 02/09/2022 at 21:31:59
We are going to play 433, 451 or 352. If it the first formation, I think this will have Gordon and Grey, either side of a centre forward. If it’s the latter formation, I think that means that our width will be coming from our wingbacks, and Gordon or Grey, might just be played as a second striker, and if it’s the middle formation, then either Lewin or Muapay, will operate alone up front.

Im a lot happier with the squad now than I was at the end of last season, but until we win a few games, then the pressure is going to intensify. We will see.

Anthony Hawkins
16 Posted 02/09/2022 at 21:36:56
@Iain #14 - Richarlison didn't score very often and was more creative than a scorer. Anyone who scores 10 or more will technically have a better return than Richarlison.
Dave Abrahams
17 Posted 02/09/2022 at 21:40:40
Ian (14), Yes of course Maupay is a striker and he might surprise a few people who are having a go at him but I think it’s fair to ask couldn’t we have got another decent striker at a similar level to Maupay on loan.
Joe McMahon
18 Posted 02/09/2022 at 21:45:40
Richarlison is not actually a striker, he played up top due to squad necessity. He got kicked to shreds also.
His goal return last season wasn't bad and also had a harsh VAR goal v Arsenal chalked off, and 2 goals were awarded to Gordon as the shots glanced off his ankle. But we need to move on now, like he has. He gave his all in an Everton shirt, you cannot ask for more than that.

Looking for to seeing Garnercand Maupay.

Iakovos Iasonidis
19 Posted 02/09/2022 at 22:01:52
If we signed brereton, kudus and another quality winger this window would be perfect. Overall it is still quite good. Coady and tark are an upgrade from what we had not only in quality but mostly on mentality. We needed a second left back and we got one, we needed 2 strikers, we got one. We reshaped our shockingly bad midfield with 2 high potential young players and gueye who I think will be a huge signing for us. We bought mcneil who is young and can get better even though I believe we should chase cornet instead, doesn't matter though, after what iwobi is doing I will gladly give mcneil the time he needs to flourish. There is deadwood still in the team which we can't get rid and I still feel bad richarlinson left. Overall I would give this window a grade of 6-7.
Bobby Mallon
20 Posted 02/09/2022 at 22:03:09
Ian 14 it’s not negative bullshit it’s reality. No one has said Maupay is rubbish and we all agree he’s a forward but, it’s a big but, it’s not enough just having two strikers. considering DCL is now in the realms of getting injured to frequently and Rondon playing like he’s permanently injured then another striker was a must. Please Frank don’t start lampard. Keep the same team as against Leeds except play Maupay in place of McNeil
Jamie Crowley
21 Posted 02/09/2022 at 22:19:11
I said on another thread, I believe this window is the best in my time, sans the Barry-McCarthy-Lukaku window.

We've improved significantly, wisely, and relatively economically.

I was worried about a relegation battle up until about 2 weeks ago.

I'm not worried in the least any longer. That kind of tells you all you need to know. We're a much, much better squad now.

Thelwell has done brilliantly in my opinion. Not just average, but brilliantly. The focus on a striker is understandable, but there's 11 men on the pitch, not one.

- Huge improvement at CB position with Coady and Tark
- Massive overhaul in central midfield with quality and youth
- A dependable striker alternative that's a clear upgrade to our current back up player
- A 21 year old wide man with real potential in my opinion
- 7 new players in a complete overhaul, and throwing in Myko and Patterson it's basically a new team

It's not easy to pull this off. And so many young players with sell-on value, all the while improving areas of the pitch we needed improvement in, at really good pricing from a business perspective. This is what Thelwell does, and he does it well.

Very, very happy with the window.

Bernie Quinn
22 Posted 02/09/2022 at 22:20:42
Iain @ 14 - I agree entirely Iain - Can't understand these negative comments about no strikers. How many forwards have we lost from last season?: And he has been replaced by Gordon who has already scored 2 goals this season. DCL is injury prone, so we have Moupay to cover his position who has been known to score as well. Frank has possible other choices as well - such as Mcneall - Doucouri - Gray - Garner, etc.

For God's sake. support the team!!!

Neil Copeland
23 Posted 02/09/2022 at 22:34:00
This is the best squad we have had for a number of seasons. As we know only too well, it is no good having quality players if they don’t put in the hard yards. We now have a squad full of players who will give 100% every game and seem to genuinely want to give us something to get excited about.

I think we need to stay patient because it is unlikely to happen overnight. But, to me, we are showing incremental game by game improvement. When was the last time we were leading 1-0 at half time in 3 away games in a row?

The passion is clearly there from the players and manager. Get behind them as we did last season and we are going places.

UTFT

Danny O’Neill
24 Posted 02/09/2022 at 22:34:27
I like his words. A considered approach. Not bringing players in for the sake of it. Lampard's sentiment not mine.

For the first time in years we seem to be planning and thinking about the transfer strategy to build for the next few years.

Once we get a few more points on the board, we'll feel more comfortable.

That starts tomorrow. Eat them alive Goodison and make them feel uncomfortable. Make our lads stand 10 foot tall.

Spirit. Forever.

Kieran Kinsella
25 Posted 02/09/2022 at 22:38:37
Neil

Yes this is the first derby for a long time where I feel whatever happens we will put in a effort. Even if things go wrong I don’t see Coady, Tark, Onana, Gordon etc throwing the towel in like the Schneiderlin types

Neil Copeland
26 Posted 02/09/2022 at 22:45:15
Kieran, absolutely mate. They are proper professionals who get what it means to us. As you say, we may not and probably will not (if I am honest) win, but they won’t give up and that is a huge step up.
Danny O’Neill
27 Posted 02/09/2022 at 22:51:18
Neil. Mouthwash followed by a dirty soap water mouth rince. And then say 10 hail Mary's please.

I'm not getting up to watch a 7:30am kick off to watch us lose!!

Have a great day tomorrow mate. Bring the points home.

Neil Copeland
28 Posted 02/09/2022 at 22:57:47
Danny, mouth wash and dirty soap mouth wash completed. Even though I am Protestant I will fully respect the 10 Hail Marys request because it is fully deserved.

I don’t want to put the mockers on this one so was actually trying some reverse psychology. You are not going to see us lose tomorrow, it will be a great start to your day over there.

UTFT

Dean Williams
29 Posted 02/09/2022 at 23:21:21
Ian 14. Apparently no one is entitled to there opinion I see. Maupay is no better than simms In my opinion. If maupay was the best we could do, we may as well saved the money and gave simms his shot.
Danny O’Neill
30 Posted 02/09/2022 at 23:29:12
I guess that come down to opinions.

Us mortals make opinions. Many of them differ.

Those paid to make decisions are the decision makers.

Lampard and his management team have made decisions based on how and where they can operate in the market.

Maybe they don't think Simms is quite ready.

To my point, they are the decision makers and they will be judged on the decisions they have made and will make.

Christine Foster
31 Posted 02/09/2022 at 23:43:24
Danny, 7.30 am is usually the best time I can hope! Normally it's 2am or 4.30 am here!
But as I said before, the season starts now. Let's get behind the team, forget who isn't playing and put the fear of God in Klipperty Klopp before they even get off the bus.
Push them back, press high, don't give an inch, right up their backside, no time on the ball. Pressure. First to every second ball. That's my Everton, don't give an inch.
Stuart Sharp
32 Posted 02/09/2022 at 00:02:16
Dean 29
People are of course entitled to their opinions, but I can't help agree with Ian that the negativity from many posters is over the top. Most of us wanted another striker to come in yesterday, but once that disappointment died down, I was left thinking our squad has improved a lot overall. Personally would have liked Diaz, and maybe we'd have got him instead of McNeil if we'd have offered 20 million, but the reality is that we rarely get to know all the ins and outs of what the club are up to during the window. On reflection, I'm pretty pleased given our finances. As for Maupay, I think he's a different type of player to Simms, and is probably horrible to play against. Let's hope we see that tomorrow.
Sleep well folks... this time tomorrow, we'll be watching replays of Maupay's winner on MOTD.
Mike Gaynes
33 Posted 02/09/2022 at 00:07:59
The reason I'm so excited by Gana's return is covered in this quote on Royal Blue Mersey by Garrett Post:

"Since 2016, Gana has made over 150 more tackles than any other Everton player; a crazy stat when you consider that he hasn’t put on a royal blue jersey since 2019."

Yeah, I know, he's three years older. But quality is quality. And now Onana has a master to learn from.

Sam Mellor
34 Posted 03/09/2022 at 05:04:33
I don't really understand the argument for getting another striker. We have DCL who is first choice and then Maupay as back up/challenging. Yes, DCL has been injury prone over the last year but before that he barely had a problem.

Maupay isn't a world beater buy he's a hard worker who knows the league and should settle immediately.

I'm interested who people think we should have been getting as a third striker. Bearing in mind Lampard plays with 1 up front and 2 wide attackers, who exactly is going to come knowing that DCL is first choice when he's fit? There's an argument for saying we should have kept Simms but then he'd have got limited gametime which would have stunted his development. With the way our finances are/FFP, I think its perfectly fine to have Rondon as our third striker, he can be physival for the last 20 mins of a match.

I do feel we're short a winger but we know we had financial restraints and the Joao Pedro bid shows they are aware of the need for another in the long term.

Be positive people, we've got some snide and organisation at centre back at last and a batch of promising new midfielders. Its a big if but if DCL can come back fit and get up and running in a few weeks then we could have a solid season and then look to build next year.

Robert Tressell
35 Posted 03/09/2022 at 07:43:07
Sam, I'm along the same lines. I don't want us to stock up on mediocre players like Batshuayi just so we have numbers.

City, Chelsea and the RS only each have 2 strikers.

Indeed in the modern game you need versatile forwards. It's not like wingers and strikers in an old 442. That's why Richarlison was so important - he could play anywhere across the attack.

We need to find a high quality forward in the future - but this must be someone who has the ability to be better than DCL - not just cover.

Dave Abrahams
36 Posted 03/09/2022 at 09:01:07
The main reason some fans are worried about the lack of another striker in the transfer market is we are worried about the fitness of Calvert-Lewin. He is a very good striker who can hold the ball up and gives the wingers a figure to aim for. If Dominic can stay fit, we can play with a lot more confidence; without him, this team lose a lot.

Most fans, if not all fans, will get behind the team, not just in derby games; we proved our worth last season. We kept Everton in the Premier League, I don't ever doubt that, and we will be there for them in every game, especially those fans who travel everywhere to see them, season after season, with very little reward.

They are absolutely brilliant, so talk about us getting behind the team – I want to see an Everton team that gets behind the fans and fuckin' play for us, game after game, we haven't had one like that for a long time. Let them prove themselves to us starting today fighting from the first to the last minute of the game, come on you Blues get in there and have a fuckin' good go.

Kim Vivian
37 Posted 03/09/2022 at 09:50:18
Mike, hi - not clear from your post - but were those tackles whilst playing for Everton or just total tackles since 2016? I assume the latter.
Anthony Jones
38 Posted 03/09/2022 at 14:46:47
He says it is hard to manage multiple strikers, but we have 6 centre-backs.

Nonsense.

Kieran Kinsella
39 Posted 03/09/2022 at 14:49:47
Anthony

He brought in a centre-back on loan and one on a free. Name better strikers we missed out on for similar expense? If we had money I'm sure he'd buy strikers but we don't.

Dean Williams
40 Posted 04/09/2022 at 23:05:15
Anyone fancy Diego Costa on a free. ?
Paul Hewitt
41 Posted 04/09/2022 at 23:07:32
See Barkley has gone to Nice. Very nice
Mick Roberts
43 Posted 05/09/2022 at 10:55:04
Was Frank joking when he named Rondon as one of our strikers?

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