Frank Lampard unafraid to give Tom Cannon first-team Everton shot after Celtic and WSW – Sky Sports pundit
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 not afraid to give Everton youngster Tom Cannon a chance in the first team after his showing in Australia, says Kevin Campbell.
The 19-year-old forward featured against Scottish champions Celtic before scoring in the 5-1 win over Western Sydney Wanderers in the friendly tour during the World Cup break, and then declared himself “ready” in an interview with the Liverpool Echo.
He and fellow teenager Isaac Price have taken full advantage of their chance while senior players were out of the way, and Sky Sports pundit Campbell expects the manager to be willing to give opportunities which must be taken.
Of the youngsters, and especially Cannon, he exclusively told Goodison News: “If they are the answer [to the poor recent results] remains to be seen.
“Have they got the ability? Have they got the desire? Yes, because they wouldn’t be at Everton if they didn’t.
“The key is when they get their chance they’ve got to take it. That’s the big opportunity for these youngsters.
“When the opportunity does present itself they’ve got to be able to jump on it.
“I’m sure that’s what Frank Lampard will be saying to the lads: ‘If you’re going to come into the first team squad and be around it, I don’t want you being in awe of anybody. I want you do show yourself.’
“And to be fair they’ve been doing pretty well haven’t they?
“This is sometimes how youngsters emerge. Where there’s an injury or there’s a loss of form, then one of them gets a chance and next minute he’s doing really well.
“I think it’s about time the academy started bringing some more players through.
“And Frank Lampard is definitely not afraid to give them a chance, that’s for sure.”
Price may face a bit of a battle to get game time given the extensive options in midfield, but with a definite deficit in attack Cannon has done himself no harm in the pecking order over the World Cup break.
He has already scored 10 times in 16 appearances for the under-21s this year, and with Dominic Calvert-Lewin suffering another injury while Neal Maupay and Salomon Rondon are proving goal-shy, there is an opening.
Anthony Gordon was the last star to develop from the academy, although he has gone off the boil prior to his hat-trick in the WSW win, and it would be a major boost to the supporters and the club’s hopes of avoiding a relegation battle if he were to be joined by a few more.