Everton owners must give Frank Lampard ‘the opportunity to build something’ – Kevin Campbell
Everton owners must give Frank Lampard the opportunity to build a team of his own at Goodison Park, according to Sky Sports pundit Kevin Campbell.
Recent reports [The Telegraph, 3 January] have suggested that Lampard is “on the brink” of the sack at Everton, following their disappointing 4-1 defeat to Brighton on their own turf.
A result which leaves the Toffees just a point above the relegation places on 15 points, having played a game more than the sides beneath them in the Premier League table.
Everton have only won once in their last 10 games, and without a win in six after Tuesday’s damaging defeat which means the former Derby County and Chelsea boss could suffer the same fate Rafael Benitez did, this time last year after one win in 13 games.
However, former Toffees striker Campell argued that the worrying cycle won’t end if Farhad Moshiri decides to sack Lampard and that he must be given the proper backing to build his own team.
Speaking live on Sky Sports following the Brighton game, he said: “I think the relationship between Lampard and the fans is there, but there are going to be questions.
“You have to start questioning if Lampard is the right man for the job, of course, you do. I still think he’s never been backed, this has never been his team.
“If you do pull the trigger and sack him, then you’re bringing in someone else to do the same thing again. So where do you stop it?
“He’s there, give him the opportunity to build something.”
The cycle won’t end with Lampard’s sacking
Indeed, the Chelsea legend simply hasn’t been given the tools and resources to build his own side at Goodison Park.
After just coming off the back of a testing relegation dogfight at the end of last season, the Toffees board simply can’t expect everything to be rosy on the pitch if Lampard hasn’t been provided with the funds and time to build the side into his image.
Everton have had six managers since Moshiri bought a stake in the club back in 2016, and they are certainly feeling the after-effects with Lampard still having to manage players bought by previous managers.
Campbell is absolutely right in that the worrying cycle and incompetence at the club won’t end until Moshiri makes a change from the top rather than within the managerial dugout.
It’s clear Lampard needs backing, his style of play has shone through on numerous occasions so far this campaign, but unfortunately tailed off because much of the squad is of one he’s inherited rather than of his own making. He does indeed need more time and financial resources to build even further.