Daniel Feliciano

Fri 1 July 2022 15:41, UK

Everton have had a summer the fans would rather forget so far, with top man Richarlison exiting the club and currently no first-team signings confirmed.

Frank Lampard has got a huge job on his hands this summer to rebuild and reshape the squad at Goodison Park after narrowly avoiding relegation during the 2021/22 campaign.

But with financial constraints limiting what he can do, and his best player leaving for Tottenham in the process of the window, what does a dream Lampard XI look like when the season opener against Chelsea on August 6th rolls around?

It’s imperative for the Toffees that number one goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is kept at the club this summer, and thankfully it looks as though that will be the case for now at least.

The England number one had arguably his best season to help Everton stay up last season and will look to build on that ahead of the World Cup later this year, and Lampard knows he can rely on him.

Defensively, changes look to be at a minimum right now too. Captain Seamus Coleman is almost certain to continue as first-choice right-back, although Nathan Patterson should be better placed to compete with him for a spot in the line-up in the new season.

Vitalii Mykolenko established himself as the first-choice left-back after his arrival in January and Lampard will have no reason to change that, with improvement possible in such a young player with such promise.

In the centre there are decisions to make. James Tarkowski has all but signed a deal from Burnley, arriving on a free transfer to become the leader of the Everton back line under Lampard. But his partner remains in question.

Michael Keane and Yerry Mina are the experienced options, but the Colombian could leave the club while Keane was unreliable at times in the run-in last year. That should see Lampard lean towards using Ben Godfrey from the start, with the former Norwich man impressing when he was fit.

In midfield it’s likely to be all change if the boss gets his way. Andre Gomes and Allan could potentially follow Fabian Delph out of the exit door, and it looks likely that Spurs midfielder Harry Winks will be wearing a royal blue shirt by the time the season begins.

Next to him Abdoulaye Doucoure could start, but his place would immediately come under threat if Lampard is able to acquire his top target Conor Gallagher [Daily Mail, July 1] on loan from former club Chelsea. It’s a deal that will likely happen later in the window, but if done he would be an automatic starter.

With Richarlison gone, there is a chance to re-shape the attack too. Anthony Gordon could move over to the left-wing, allowing him to cut in on his right foot and be more influential after a stellar breakthrough season.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is also now expected to stay put, meaning the number nine role is cemented as his so long as he can put his injury problems of last season behind him. But behind him there is a chance for investment.

Reports suggest the club are interested in signing Jesse Lingard for the number ten role on a free transfer, which would be a questionable move but one Lampard is clearly keen on.

With Gordon over on the left, that leaves space for a new right winger and Watford ace Ismaila Sarr is someone who has been linked with a move to Everton during this window. It would likely be pricey, but he has a similar skillset to Richarlison and would add great balance to the side too.