Issac Price unlikely to start for Everton v Crystal Palace
Everton teenager Issac Price is unlikely to be handed his full debut against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup later today (March 20).
Liverpool Echo journalist Adam Jones claims that Frank Lampard is unlikely to start with the 18-year-old despite the club’s midfield woes.
The Toffees are set to be without five midfielders for this game with Amdre Gomes and Abdoulaye Doucoure being the only recognised first-team players.
Jones wrote, “It seems unlikely that Price would be handed a full debut given his lack of experience at this level, but who knows how much he has been impressing in training?
“A natural box-to-box midfielder, that again could maybe see Doucoure sitting back – unless the youngster himself was trusted in that role.”
The kid must play
Nobody will fault Lampard for losing this one if he takes a gamble on some of the academy players.
The club are already in the midst of an injury crisis and are battling hard to stay in the Premier League for next season.
Going on a cup run is not going to ease their woes in the slightest so Lampard must just write this one off and give the fringe players a chance to impress.
Price has travelled with the squad and has been impressive for the Under-23s so why not give him a go?
If he’s having a horrendous game he can always be taken off at half-time.
As it is, there won’t be many having any real expectations from him on his full debut so it makes sense to throw him into the eleven.
In other Everton news, Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick has apologised to Everton with regard to his comments about them due to what’s been going on at Chelsea.
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