Trevor Sinclair sends clear Everton message to Frank Lampard on talented Finch Farm pair
Frank Lampard “must” play young Everton pair Anthony Gordon and Jarrad Branthwaite against Burnley according to Trevor Sinclair.
The Toffees travel to Turf Moor tonight (6 April) for a crucial relegation six-pointer and former England winger Sinclair cannot understand why “superb” attacker Gordon hasn’t been played.
Michael Keane was sent off in the defeat at West Ham on Sunday (3 April) and teenager Branthwaite has been tipped to fill the gap.
Sinclair said on talkSPORT this afternoon (12.10pm): “For me there’s two players that need and must play for Everton tonight, and they’re both from Finch Farm.
“One’s Branthwaite, the central defender. Played really well against Chelsea I remember, scoring his first goal.
“And the other one is Anthony Gordon, he’s been superb this season. I can’t understand why Frank’s not playing him.
“Maybe he thinks he’s young so he’s an easy one to drop. He’s one of the best players at that football club.
“Play your best players.”
Youth influx
Despite being the consensus choice for the Toffees’ player of the season, 21-year-old Gordon was only given 12 minutes as a substitute in the previous game.
That may have been due to the team facing three games in a week, but surely reduced the team’s ability to pick up crucial points.
Established first-team stars are largely not performing, and as the relegation battle rumbles on there is a growing clamour to turn to the youngsters in the squad.
Keane has endured a nightmare run of games and clearly needs a break from the relentless pressure.
Mason Holgate was a surprise replacement for the injured Donny van de Beek in midfield, so his current status is anyone’s guess.
Branthwaite has looked promising in the appearances he has made so far, and it surely can’t get much worse so he deserves a run.
It can’t be much longer before the likes of Lewis Dobbin get their chance to feature as well, because for all the talk of putting too much pressure on young shoulders, it is the senior players that look unable to carry it currently.
In other Everton news, a concerning report in the Daily Mail suggests there are problems in the dressing room and the manager is repeating past errors.
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