Daniel Feliciano

Mon 7 March 2022 9:30, UK

Frank Lampard says it’s a ‘matter of time’ before Dele Alli breaks into his Everton side and makes an impact after his January arrival from Tottenham.

Dele joined the Toffees on deadline day in a surprise permanent move, with Lampard keen to bolster his midfield and goalscoring options at the club.

So far the 25-year-old has made four substitute appearances and is yet to start but Lampard says, as quoted by Liverpool ECHO, that he’s looking to ease the former England international into the side but it’s a “matter of time” before he gets more regular minutes.

“I think for Dele first of all it is condition,” he said.

“Dele came in to play in a pretty early phase of the Newcastle game because of injuries which wasn’t easy for him. When he has come off the bench he has contributed well in games and helped the team.

“He was particularly good against Man City and showed a discipline in his performance which was required in the game.

“So probably his condition, learning a bit about myself and how my staff work and then fitting into the team.

“I don’t think we have to panic, to rush, when we signed Dele I certainly saw it as a long-term plan because I really have that massive belief in him as a player.

“At the moment he has contributed and he has to be patient and wait for his time at the start. It is a shame that two of the games I have been here for, and I haven’t been here long, have been FA Cup games in which he cannot play.

“It would have been great to get him minutes in those games and at the moment there is competition in that area and it is just a matter of time and about being a bit patient and when he comes in it is about delivering.”

Patience

When Dele is at his best, he is exactly the type of midfielder that Everton have lacked for years – arguably since the legendary run of Tim Cahill.

But after the last two years or so he had at Spurs where nothing seemed to go right for him and his confidence slowly disappeared, it’s not realistic to expect him to find that level again immediately.

Lampard knows that style of player better than anyone and he will know how to nurture their talent to get the maximum from them.

The current environment at Goodison Park isn’t the best considering they’re battling relegation, so they don’t really have time for any passengers in the side.

He was brought in to make an impact on their season, but he’s got time to make one that lasts rather than just be a flash in the pan. Trust the process Blues.

In other Everton news, ‘Need every point’ – Michael Owen predicts result of Everton clash v Tottenham