Frank Lampard has explained what Dele Alli needs to do to get into his side as the Everton manager hit out over the “disadvantage” from the fixture scheduling for what could be a pivotal week in their season. The Blues go to Burnley on Wednesday night without a plethora of central midfield options with Donny van de Beek, Andre Gomes and Tom Davies all injured, Fabian Delph still a doubt as he returns to fitness and Allan suspended.
Frank Lampard said: “Train well, stay focused and show me in training – as all the players have to – that he is ready to play. And I know that is not always easy as a player because players like to play games but we are in a position now where every game is crucial and how we prepare and how we go into games is what I see and what I select of. So he just has to do that.”
Meanwhile, Lampard expressed his concern over the fixture scheduling that has produced just two rest days between their three crucial Premier League matches this week, culminating with an early kick-off at home to Manchester United on Saturday that starts just 63 hours after their game at Burnley finishes.
Frank Lampard said: “There are certain base rules that the Premier League can tell you when you are playing. We know that Burnley was a game that had to put in. We got told when those games were, but my feeling was West Ham didn’t need to be on a Sunday, it could have been on a Saturday. Burnley played on Saturday against Manchester City. Manchester United didn’t need to be the early kick-off and as I understand it will be due to broadcasting. It is definitely a disadvantage. Whether it plays out on the pitch we have to contest against that, but I think the turnaround especially to Manchester United on Saturday lunchtime after playing Burnley on the Wednesday night will be a tough one. We will do everything we can. We will recover. We are fortunate we have a great staff, great medical team, fit players, a squad to choose from. We will have to approach it as best we can. I know I am mentioning it and I think it is right to. It could have been different. For the brand of the Premier League, they want the best football, to put the game on Wednesday evening and one on Saturday morning when the stakes are so high and there is no need for it… we don’t play again after Manchester United until the following Wednesday so there was plenty of scope for this one to look different and it doesn’t so that is frustrating. We just have to counteract it with everything we can.”
