‘Do we take the risk?’ – Exclusive: Campbell doubts Everton move for Lamptey
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Kevin Campbell claims Everton will have doubts about signing Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey due to his awful injury record.
Last week, Graham Potter confirmed that Lamptey’s season was over with the defender’s hamstring issue proving to be worse than first feared.
There is no doubting Lamptey’s ability but Campbell insists clubs won’t want to splash out on a big fee for an injury-prone player.
“It’s a very difficult one with Lamptey,” Campbell told Goodison News.
“Everybody knows his talent, everybody knows what he can bring to the table but he’s no good if he’s not on the pitch.
“Being linked with Everton and Arsenal and all these other clubs is great but they’re going to look at that injury history and think ‘do we take the risk?’.
“The moment you spent that sort of money and the player ends up on the treatment table, it’s not good. You need a player who’s reliable for that type of money and he’s not been reliable.”
The Athletic have named Everton as one of the clubs looking at Lamptey but last week’s news may have put some clubs off signing the young defender.
He hasn’t played since December and won’t play again this season.
One thing we don’t need is for a Seamus Coleman replacement to be as injury prone as the man he’s replacing.
Campbell is right, we need stability and reliability.
If we are going to target a new right-back this summer then Lamptey is surely off the list if those attributes are key criteria.
In other Everton news, Ancelotti is interested in selling Lucas Digne in order to fund a move for Tottenham defender Sergio Reguilon.