Frank Lampard hinted at further business before the end of the transfer window after Everton snatched a late draw against newly-promoted Nottingham Forest. Speaking after the game,
Frank Lampard said: “It is a point. We wanted to win the game and I thought we deserved to win the game. In terms of performances we have been pretty good… I understand the bigger picture here. [Amadou] Onana is not fit yet because he missed a lot of pre-season, some business we want to do is still to come, we put two new players into our back three and Conor [Coady] came last week, so there are moving parts with this that will improve just with time. Ideally, we would have a few more points on the board from our performances but it is not the case. We just have to keep working on that with what we have now, and the performances we are putting out now, and how we can strengthen the squad.”
Lampard highlighted the number of chances created as a positive as well as the spirit displayed by players as they fought back to earn the draw. He also praised Gray and Anthony Gordon’s work to test the Forest defence and said that had the Blues found a goal during a promising first 20 minutes the game would have looked “completely different”. He has made no secret of his desire to strengthen his forward options, particularly in light of Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s absence through injury. That search looks set to continue this week.
Frank Lampard said: “That’s kind of the story of our first games of the season in different ways. Against Chelsea we had a few really good chances to score, so you wouldn’t lose the game [had Everton taken one of those opportunities]. At Villa, we were pushing at the end of the game – another few chances to score, the clinical nature of their finishing means they score two and we lose the game so it is a similar story in a different way today.”
Contract talks between Everton and Jordan Pickford are continuing with Frank Lampard keen to tie down England’s number one for the long-term. Pickford’s current deal runs out in 2024 and discussions over extending that began earlier in the summer. They were opened after the 28-year-old played a leading role in Everton’s relegation escape – including making the stop that would later be named ‘save of the season’ against Chelsea. Pickford’s leadership credentials have since led to him starting the season as captain while Seamus Coleman continues his recovery from injury.
Frank Lampard said: “It was good. It was the first time captaining the club and first time being captain in my career, so it was a nice moment. I always say you need more than one captain in the team; Seamus [Coleman] is the club captain but you need leaders to help Seamus [who was a substitute at Turf Moor], you need leaders to help the team. If you had 11 leaders on the pitch, it would be amazing but you’ve got to lead in your own way. I feel like I try to be a leader in my way. Sometimes it looks like I’m shouting ridiculously but it’s that talking and information and trying to lead in that manner. The more leaders you have in the team, the better.”
Those comments came after the Chelsea match and the Azpilicueta save. Referring to the save this summer
Frank Lampard said: “This save is not save of the season, it’s save of the Premier League era.”
Pickford joined Everton from Sunderland in 2017 before signing a new six-year contract the following year. Asked about the latest on the contract talks, Lampard stressed his desire to retain the keeper and appeared hopeful a deal would soon be done.
Frank Lampard said: “The club are speaking with Jordan. He is a massive player for us, everyone wants him to stay, and Jordan is very happy here. Maybe it is one for the craziness of the window to shut in a couple of weeks and in the cold, calm light of day we can get it done very quickly.”
