Frank Lampard believes the arrivals of Conor Coady and James Tarkowski have added old-school core values to his Everton squad. The defensive duo arrived as part of a brilliant summer transfer window, with the Toffees showing a defensive steeliness that had been missing last season – they had the best defensive record in the league, until last weekends 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester United. Alongside the likes of Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye in midfield, there is a real sense around the squad of Everton’s old-school fighting values – something that the Blues boss made a conscious effort to introduce to the squad over the summer.
Frank Lampard said: “[They are] a really good group of lads in the main, but there was something for me that was missing in terms of a bit of leadership and direction. And it’s not a huge criticism of the lads – they are what they are – leaders look different in the modern day. But the ones you’ve mentioned there in terms of Conor and Tarky (Tarkowski) they look like a bit of a throwback, in terms of how they train and how they affect others around them. The modern world is moving very quickly, so trying to keep hold of these things [is important], because I think it can get lost in the young player.”
