Jamie Carragher ‘admires’ Jose Mourinho change in Frank Lampard’s philosophy at Everton
Frank Lampard has undergone a “complete change” in his football philosophy in his last four games with Everton according to Jamie Carragher.
That run has seen two wins, a draw, and a controversial defeat in the Merseyside derby, and was sparked by the defeat at Burnley that he says “scared” them.
But the switch in style to be more like Lampard’s former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has seen crucial points picked up as the relegation battle goes down to the wire, and the ex-Liverpool defender is impressed.
Speaking on Sky Sports Monday Night Football (2 May, 7.30pm) the pundit said: “I actually admire what Frank’s done in the last four games.
“Jose Mourinho’s been a huge influence on his career, but we’ve seen in his early stages as a manager he wants to play out from the back, he wants to be almost like a Pep Guardiola type.
“What’s happened is, they’ve gone like Jose Mourinho in the last four games.”
“I don’t particularly like it when a manager says, ‘You never change, you always keep the same message’.”
He then went on to analyse various stats to show that the Toffees boss has dispensed with short passing in favour of long balls and high pressing, highlighted by the fact that Jordan Pickford has played just a single goal kick short during the 360-minute stretch.
“That is a complete change from Frank Lampard, in terms of his philosophy and how he went about things,” Carragher added.
Pragmatic
Fans have previously been unhappy with the style of play under managers like Sam Allardyce, and how enjoyable a game is to watch is a key factor.
But with the club’s top flight survival on the line that all goes out the window and it is a matter of by any means necessary.
Lampard has to be praised for adapting to the circumstances, and the results have shown a noticeable upturn.
It arguably should go down as one of the defining moments in his young managerial career, and shows a tactical acumen that has so far often been assumed rather than demonstrated.
Current Roma boss Mourinho would no doubt be unhappy to be called a long-ball manager, but he has always famously been against high possession on the whole (Telegraph).
While it keeps bringing results there will be few if any connected to the club who have anything but praise for it between now and the end of the season.
The tactical switch is the biggest indicator yet that the Toffees boss is the right man to lead this side to safety, and with the pressure very much still on he will need to continue to demonstrate his ability to do so.
In other Everton news, a Sky Sports pundit wants a certain Premier League referee to “go to Australia” whenever Toffees games are on after recent controversies.
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