Dele Alli hailed as heir to James Rodriguez at Everton after recent breakout
Dele Alli “shone” and showed why he is a “top, top player” for Everton against Crystal Palace, according to Michael Ball.
The much-maligned former England midfielder has had a difficult time since he arrived at Goodison in January, often being overlooked for selection, and taking criticism for his attitude from pundits.
But with the Toffees 2-0 down to the Eagles on Thursday (19 May) needing a win to secure Premier League survival the manager did turn to the 26-year-old at half-time and his introduction helped transform the game as it ended 3-2 and sparked wild celebrations inside the stadium.
Former Toffee Ball wrote in his Liverpool Echo column: “Credit to Frank Lampard for that decision because Alli really performed, he just shone through.
“His balance and his composure on the ball was brilliant. He has played in big games with Tottenham Hotspur, he is used to pressure games, and you could see that.
“He kept taking on the ball and picking the right pass at the right time – and that is what we have lacked since we lost James Rodriguez.
“Alli showed in that performance against Crystal Palace why he was a top, top player. He gave the side a bit of belief and he showed that bit of quality.
“I saw enough in that second 45 minutes to suggest there is still a player there in Alli.
“He came out for that second half and it was like he was playing a different game of football. The occasion didn’t get to him and that is probably a result of his experience playing in high-profile football matches.
“It could so easily have flipped the other way and been a bad decision for Lampard and Alli. If he had come on and not had an impact then there would be a few question marks again about the signing of the player, but he made an important contribution and the decision to bring him on was spot on.”
Sparkling cameo
When the former Spurs star arrived on Merseyside in January there were high hopes that he could help turn around a terrible season.
For the majority of the ensuing four months that didn’t happen, but his performance in the game that finally clinched survival was a glimpse of the player he has been in the past.
Consistency and reliability seem to be the issue, as he had also made a telling impact off the bench as the team went in search of an equaliser against Leicester (20 April), playing a role in the build up to Richarlison’s injury-time strike.
But having earned a start in the final game of the season, he wasn’t influential enough in a 5-1 defeat at Arsenal.
With the fee that the club eventually have to pay Tottenham tied to how often he features there have been calls to get rid of him before they have to spend anything.
But there is a feeling that Lampard expected it to be a long-term project to rejuvenate the man who former Everton captain Kevin Campbell previously said was “systematically destroyed” by Jose Mourinho at Spurs.
He may not have expected it to take so long, but if the signs of progress can be built upon with a full pre-season there is hope for a proper Toffees career.
If he can fill the creative role that James occupied and produce more performances like the one at Crystal Palace he would be worth his whole fee, but if he continues to blow hot and cold next season the club might never get close to that point.
In other Everton news, Lampard is expected to revisit his old club Chelsea to make the most of his links for summer transfers.
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