Charlie Adam impressed with Frank Lampard and Everton summer transfer business
Charlie Adam has been impressed with Frank Lampard’s transfer business over the summer but still feels that Liverpool should beat Everton in the Merseyside Derby on Saturday.
Idrissa Gana Gueye and James Garner completed deadline day moves to Goodison Park as Lampard polished off his summer activity.
It had been reported by Lancs Live journalist Elliot Jackson (via Twitter, 1 September) that Everton made a last-minute move for Blackburn striker Ben Brereton Diaz.
However, Lampard’s hunt for another striker will have to wait as Neal Maupay looks set to be the man he relies upon upfront.
Despite leaving their business quite late, Adam believes it’s been a successful window at Goodison Park.
Talking on talkSPORT Breakfast on Friday 2 September [09:09], he said: “This is one of the only rivalries where the form is completely one-sided with Liverpool dominating most of the games.
“However, if you look at who Everton have managed to bring in, they’ve added a lot of Premier League experience with Onana probably the only one who hasn’t played in the Premier League.
“Frank Lampard knew what he needed to bring in and I think he’s done well.
“Even though Liverpool nicked a win in midweek, they should still be favourites to win the match.”
More planning
It’s easy to see where Adam is coming from, but ultimately the Toffees have left a lot of their business far too late in the window.
Evertonians have known since Richarlison moved to Tottenham Hotspur that a new striker was needed at Goodison Park.
The fact that Maupay was signed with a matter of days left shows little planning has been going on behind the scenes.
There’s an argument to suggest that Everton’s uncertainty surrounding their Premier League status in the 2021/22 season could’ve had an impact on their plans for the summer window.
However, the club knew that Richarlison was to be sold and there should’ve been more attention paid to finding a replacement.
Until Dominic Calvert-Lewin returns from injury there is an awful lot of pressure on Maupay to deliver, and whether he is the answer remains up in the air.
It’s a shame for the Toffees because a lot of their other business has been excellent, with Amadou Onana and Garner being a younger calibre of player who can develop.
Let’s hope that the Toffees’ preparation for the January window is a little bit more astute.