Everton midfield maestro Andre Gomes could be the surprise of the season under Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard’s first game in charge of Everton was a resounding success in more ways than just the 4-1 victory over Brentford that grabbed the headlines.
One of the most impressive individual performances came in the beating heart of the Toffees team by midfield maestro Andre Gomes who dictated the game on his terms.
His 83% pass completion rate, four dribbles and a 7.4 rating from WhoScored.com saw him stand out on a highly successful day for the club.
It might only be the start of the Portuguese midfielder’s career revival at Goodison Park too as he looked every bit the player that Evertonians were promised when he arrived from the sunny shores of Barcelona in 2018.
The Toffees have a player in Gomes that can control an entire game by himself if necessary but the deadline day addition of Donny van de Beek gives Lampard even more middle-third control.
It could be a highly potent combination in the middle of the park for Everton if the likes of Dele Alli, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison can finish off the wave of chances they will surely get from their teammates.
Gomes’ career on Merseyside looked to be nearing the end under Rafael Benitez who opted for Allan alongside Abdoulaye Doucoure in a workhorse-filled midfield but Lampard has reinvigorated the 28-year-old.
Certainly against some of the lesser sides in the Premier League, Gomes and van de Beek can operate as two deep-lying playmakers, pinging the ball left and right for the attackers to have a field day in front of goal.
The likes of Manchester City and other top sides might require a more dogged personality to hassle the opposition central midfielders and aid the counter-attack more but that is the beauty of the options Lampard has at his disposal.
In other Everton news, Louis Saha has backed this pair to succeed on Merseyside after their January moves.