Frank Lampard’s plea for action in the summer transfer window has been met with an immediate response following Everton’s return from the US. Following the defeat in Minnesota, where Everton were overrun by Blues legend Adrian Heath’s MLS side, Lampard’s concern was clear. His post-match comments referred to the threat of a repeat of last season’s gruelling survival bid,
Frank Lampard said: “The players have to work and understand we were in a relegation battle for a big portion of last season. We had an amazing night [against Crystal Palace, when a 3-2 win secured the club’s Premier League status] and an amazing run… but, as soon as that finished, I put it to bed very quickly, so the players have to put it to bed as well, because we were in that fight for a reason. And if we don’t want to be in that situation again, they have to be better and I have to be better. As a club, it [the Minnesota game] reinforced the situation in terms of what we need to do with the squad, because it has to be stronger that what we saw tonight. There is no doubt about it. When you think of where we were last year, we have lost a big player in Richarlison… we wish him well, but our club now continues. We know there is a void in forward areas, we are short in numbers there. Also, through the team, there are things I want to strengthen, and I can be honest about that, because a club like Everton has to have a competitive squad.”
