Sky Sports pundit confident Everton won’t face relegation battle with Frank Lampard in charge
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 is the reason to be confident that Everton won’t be in another relegation battle in the new season according to Kevin Campbell.
The former Chelsea boss was appointed at the very end of the January transfer window and after some growing pains he oversaw a distinct late improvement from the team that saw them avoid the drop in the penultimate game of the season.
Despite losing Richarlison this summer and so far only managing to sign James Tarkowski on a free transfer, Sky Sports pundit Campbell is sure that the effect of the manager on his players last term should be boosted by a full preseason, and although there should be a few more additions there is no reason to panic with the 44-year-old in charge.
On whether the club could be in line for another relegation battle he exclusively told Goodison News: “No. No I don’t.
“I think last season was a real bad season but you saw the club actually do better once Frank Lampard went in.
“As far as I’m concerned, obviously you get to start the season with Frank Lampard, you get a preseason under your belt with the manager etc.
“I think we saw some player’s improve as well.
“I thought [Alex] Iwobi had a really good end to the season.
“I think Anthony Gordon really improved when Frank Lampard was there.
“And [Abdoulaye] Doucoure coming back, really proving his worth.
“And I think [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin obviously coming in right at the death and scoring that goal against Crystal Palace.
“I think Frank Lampard will make players better, obviously he needs to refurbish some of the squad, of course he does.
“But I just think Everton last season was an anomaly and Everton won’t struggle this season.”
On the subject of injuries during the nightmare campaign he simply added: “Too many.”
Tarkowski should immediately improve a defence that was at the root of many issues during the battle against the drop, but the loss of Richarlison is significant.
Lampard has been after Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, Chelsea striker Armando Broja, and free agent attacker Jesse Lingard most heavily, with further interest in various other targets, but so far without success.
The former England star will no doubt be desperate to make a few more moves while keeping hold of the likes of Gordon and Calvert-Lewin in the face of interest from Newcastle in particular.
But he was able to drag performances out of a beaten down squad when it mattered in 2021/22 so the transfer market shouldn’t be the be all and end all for Everton chances.