View: Time for Everton to unleash Dele Alli in relegation battle
When Frank Lampard joined Everton on January 31st 2022, he didn’t come alone in his quest to save the club from Premier League relegation.
The former Chelsea and England man made two signings on the same day as his arrival, bringing in Donny Van de Beek on loan from Manchester United and Dele Alli from Tottenham in a deal that could rise to a potential £40m.
But while Van de Beek has established himself as a regular in Lampard’s midfield, Dele is yet to start a single game for the club as we enter April with the club in a more precarious position now than previously.
The Toffees currently sit in 17th place in the Premier League, just three points above the relegation zone thanks to a 99th minute winner last time out from Alex Iwobi.
The Nigerian was a forgotten man at Goodison Park when Lampard arrived, having been out of favour under Rafa Benitez and representing his country at the African Cup of Nations at the time of his appointment.
But he seems to be the man taking the opportunity that had been reserved for the former Spurs man, because he can’t get a kick.
Everton have won just two league games since Lampard took over and were recently thrashed by Crystal Palace and eliminated from the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage.
So now all eyes turn to the Premier League survival race and Everton know they need points. The problem is that in the final 11 games they face five of the top seven teams, two relegation rivals and Leicester twice too.
No easy games, all important and all that they can’t really afford to lose. The biggest thing they need from these games though, is a goal threat.
Dele can be the man to provide that in the run-in.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin isn’t sharp after missing large chunks of the season with injury and hasn’t scored since August, while Richarlison is missing chances for fun up front.
Andros Townsend is out for the rest of the season with a serious knee injury, which allows the Brazilian to go back to a winger position and for Lampard to finally entrust Dele in the team.
When given a chance he knows how to finish, we’ve seen that in the past. In fact, it’s exactly what made Lampard describe him as ‘special‘ back in 2017 when he was a pundit.
Now he must give him the chance to show it. He’s tried everything else and the results haven’t followed.
They say the first sign of insanity is trying something over and over again and expecting different results. Stop putting Dele on the bench, and give him a chance to really affect games.
Whether as a forward or as a midfielder, the Toffees need to change something if they want their results to change. He’s the last roll of the dice.
In other Everton news, ‘Degrading’ – Simon Jordan takes aim at Everton owner, should be in ‘firing line’