Jamie Carragher shares what Frank Lampard said after saving Everton from relegation, ‘vital’ they stay in Premier League
Jamie Carragher has revealed that Frank Lampard told him saving Everton from relegation was up there with winning the Champions League.
The Toffees avoided the drop with one game to spare in the Premier League last season, with fans invading the Goodison Park pitch to celebrate the result such was their relief.
And Carragher has now revealed to YMLiverpool that he spoke with Lampard after that game and the boss shared that it was one of the biggest achievements of his career, while also telling the club that they must stay in the Premier League at least until their new stadium is ready although he expects a tough season.
“I was delighted they stayed up last season, I really was,” he said. “I know there’s been a lot made of fans coming on the pitch, and we don’t want to see that, but I do think [the 3-2 win against Crystal Palace in May] was a special moment.
“I spoke to Frank [Lampard] and he told me it was one of the best moments of his career – right up there with winning the Champions League.
“Unfortunately for Evertonians, they haven’t had much to cheer about [in recent years] in terms of going to Wembley or winning a trophy, so that will be a night they all remember.
“But I think it will be another tough season for Everton. If Frank gets them into the top half of the table, he’ll have done really well.
“They just need to get to the [new] stadium – I’m not saying they should write off the next couple of seasons but make sure you don’t get relegated, try and have a cup run, and try to get to this stadium in the Premier League.
“It’s absolutely vital that we have two Premier League football teams in the city. We should be proud of the fact that we’ve got two big top-flight clubs and we want to keep it like that and get Everton into that new stadium because that’s going to be massive, not just for them, but for the city as well.”
Huge
What Lampard achieved last season was absolutely huge for Everton Football Club, because relegation would have been an absolute disaster.
This season he has got a whole new set of expectations because it’s his squad and he’s had more time to implement his style of play, but it won’t be easy.
The club is still severely lacking in attacking options and defensively have struggled, but with a few weeks still to go in the transfer window there is hope things can be done.
But the fans trust Lampard and back him to be able to get the club to be competitive again, if not successful, and steer them away from relegation trouble despite two defeats in the opening two games.
It’s a big ask, but he is capable and the fans are on his side. Staying in the Premier League must be the ultimate goal and that’s something fans need to get used to.