Goodison News speaking to Kevin Campbell

Sun 24 April 2022 9:10, UK

We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…

Frank Lampard has to have a look at Everton loan striker Ellis Simms and consider giving him a chance at the club says Kevin Campbell.

The 21-year-old is on loan in the Scottish Premiership with Hearts, and scored a wonderful goal in the defeat of Hibernian (16 April) as the Jam Tarts reached the cup final where they will face Rangers.

It was his fifth goal for the club, having left before the Toffees manager arrived in January, and Sky Sports pundit Campbell says Lampard has to take the time to assess the youngster in person and maybe give him a chance next season.

He spoke exclusively to Goodison News and assessed suggestions Simms could lead the line in the Championship if necessary, saying: “You can say that. I think Frank Lampard has to have a look at him. 

“He hasn’t had a look at him. Hasn’t had him in a training session or anything has he because he’s been on loan.

“I think if the worst comes to the worst [relegation] maybe he’s something that you can look at, but I don’t think Everton will be thinking that way. They’ll be thinking, ‘We’ve got enough games to make sure we secure our Premiership survival status’.

“And then Frank Lampard can really get down to rebuilding this squad because he’s come in with a squad that’s really low on confidence etc. and now they’re nowhere near as consistent.

“I think Frank Lampard knows what he needs to do now. He knows who can hack it and who can’t. The key is keeping the [Premier League] status, and then pushing on from there.

“But Ellis Simms is a decent player so maybe he might be one in pre-season who can turn the manager’s head.”

The young striker made his debut earlier this season in the draw at Chelsea and could have been an asset over the second half of the campaign, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin so short of form.

Until his scuffed injury-time leveller against Leicester Richarlison hadn’t scored from open play since Rafael Benitez’s last game, so goals, wherever the come from would be useful.

But with both the big-money pair’s futures up in the air and Simms proving his ability north of the border, an assent into a first-team role could yet be on the cards.

In other Everton news, one key recent arrival at the club made a heartfelt declaration that he had “fallen in love” in a message to the fans.

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