Frank Lampard is set to become the new Everton manager
Everton are set to announce Frank Lampard as the next manager in the coming hours as the former Chelsea boss will return to the touchline after one year. Lampard emerged as a favourite after interviews, beating Vitor Pereira and Duncan Ferguson in the process.
Lampard has a difficult job on his hands as the Toffees hover just above the relegation zone, four points clear of 18th placed Newcastle United. The Toffees will need results to go their way or they might soon to staring at a relegation battle. Lampard and his troops will have to engineer a herculean task.
When a new manager comes in, he brings a certain set of ideologies that he wants to inculcate in the team. For Lampard, the utilization and development of youth seem to be on high on the priority list as seen during his Chelsea tenure.
Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori, Billy Gilmour and Reece James can attest the exponential development that occurred in their respective careers under Lampard. The 43 year old made a youngster centric team where the likes of Mount, Abraham and James became regulars in the side. Everton youngsters can hope to walk on the same development curve under Lampard.
Frank Lampard trusts the youth and should do the same at Everton
When at Chelsea, Lampard preferred the youthfulness of Abraham over the experience and the brute force of Olivier Giroud. Under Lampard, Abraham played 72 games in 18 months and netted 29 goals while also providing 12 assists. Even when Timo Werner was signed in summer of 2020, Abraham was handed ample opportunities to facilitate his growth.
Lampard massively believed in Hudson-Odoi as well as Chelsea rejected offers from Bayern Munich as the Englishman was confident that the academy player will flourish at the club. As far as Mount goes, he became the heartbeat of the side and an indispensable part of the system. Mount played 37 of the 38 Premier League games, establishing himself as a Lampard favourite while also garnering comparisons to Lampard himself.
Lampard handed Chelsea debuts to Gilmour, Tomori and James, playing an instrumental part in the evolution phase of their careers. Most of them are flourishing today at their respective clubs and they have Lampard to thank for. Lampard has played a key role in preparing Chelsea’s future even if he failed to deliver the desired results on the field.
Certainly, the arrival of Lampard at Everton will certainly profit the young brigade at the club. Anthony Gordon, Jarrad Branthwaite and Lewis Dobbin must be buzzing with enthusiasm over Lampard.
Anthony Gordon has been scintillating for Everton this season
Gordon has shown to the world that he has bags of potential and is unlocking it steadily. Becoming a world class player is written all over him but he will need the right tools and environment to progress. Lampard could be the perfect manager for Gordon. The former Chelsea boss won’t shy away from giving extensive opportunities and responsibilities to Gordon while making sure he isn’t overburdened.
As for Branthwaite, he is a prospect that turned the eye of many when Everton signed him in January 2020. The ardent Carlisle fans made a prophecy that Branthwaite is destined for the top given his enormous potential and so far the 20 year old has shown glimpses of it and left many in awe.
With Lampard coming in, Branthwaite could also get drafted into the first team on a more frequent basis. Perhaps, if the stars are in Branthwaite’s favour, he could even become Everton’s fourth choice centre back if Mason Holgate continues to put up underwhelming performances.
Dobbin is another youngster who could benefit from Lampard’s appointment. With Lampard, Dobbin is destined to get more opportunities as the likes of Salomon Rondon and Cenk Tosun may drop down the pecking order. The 19 year old penned a new deal with the club and could be soon rewarded with extra involvement in the senior side.
The arrival of Lampard could be key in the further development of youngsters Gordon and Branthwaite. They now have a manager who trusts in youngsters and nourishes them to aid their maturity process. While the fan base also seems to have united over Lampard’s appointment, the youngsters of the club will also be relishing the arrival.
Will the Everton youngsters enjoy extensive involvement under Frank Lampard?