Sam Stone

Wed 27 July 2022 19:40, UK

Former Eurosport journalist Dean Jones believes there is a possibility that Frank Lampard will leave Everton in the upcoming season.

The Toffees endured a terrible preseason tour of America, with a damaging 4-0 defeat to Minnesota United a low point.

Everton have since returned to the UK and are set to complete the signing of Dwight McNeil from Burnley.

However, Jones believes that Lampard may not be at Goodison Park come the end of the season.

He told GIVEMESPORT on Tuesday 26 July: “Obviously, he’s frustrated.

“He wants it to be known, publicly, that he can’t build the team without funds being put into it and the level of player being improved.

“He’s trying to protect himself but, at the same time, he is potentially damaging the club’s morale going into a new season.

“I think there will be a possibility that Lampard walks at some point.

“I also think there’ll be a possibility that he could get sacked at some point, but we won’t know exactly which way to veer on that until the season actually gets underway.”

Give him time

When Lampard took over at Goodison Park it was hard to really judge his team based on the performances towards the end of last season.

He had to just squeeze results out in any way he possibly could, with the manner of the performance playing very much second fiddle.

Lampard’s transfer business is beginning to gather pace with McNeil set to join Ruben Vinagre and James Tarkowski.

If the transfer business continues in earnest at the club then Lampard could well find himself in a position where there is a heightened level of expectation on him to deliver a good footballing side.

Jones is stating what we already know in the world of football which is that managers come and go at some pace.

Lampard did well to keep Everton up, it is now time for him to really stamp his authority on proceedings.

He should be given time to mould this squad in his image, but if Everton flirt with relegation again a change in manager would not be a shock.