What Can We Expect From Frank Lampard’s Everton?
Feb 7, 2022, 10:43PMIt’s the never-ending cycle that’s plagued the Toffees ever since the dismissal of David Moyes.
In just under a decade, Everton are now onto their 7th manager with each gaffer failing in a more ‘Evertonian’ way than the last.
They experimented with the tried and tested Sam Allardyce to steady the ship… he didn’t work. They tried the experienced and Premier League proven Rafa Benítez. Didn’t work either.
However, there is one avenue they haven't gone down, and that's the inexperienced gaffer. Enter Frank Lampard.
The former Derby and Chelsea boss hasn't had a job in over a year though his move to Everton marks his reintroduction to the world of elite management and a chance to take a fallen giant back to where they belong.
It’s a massive mountain to climb, and with the Toffees currently possessing an uncomfortable 7.1% relegation chance, what can we expect from Frank Lampard’s Everton?
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What can we take from his first match?
Lampard’s first outing as Everton boss came against Brentford in the F.A Cup.
With limited time to acclimatise to the surroundings and assimilate with the squad, his tactics should probably be taken with a grain of salt.
However, it's undeniable that Everton looked like a completely different beast than what they’ve been in recent times. Quick and incisive in transition, dominating the ball and controlling the tempo. It was a classy performance from start to finish.
They were both solid at the back, as well as clean and intricate enough in attack to create 4 big chances throughout proceedings. This stemmed from Lampard getting this side to all click to one common goal and ideology.
This came from the choice of formation. Everton lined up as a 3-4-3. This is something sparsely used by Lampard in the past, with him opting to go with his tried and tested 4-3-3. However, he's proven he's adaptable to different systems in the past which should bode well for his new gig.
Key characteristics of this system saw the wing-backs be given plenty of space out wide, providing them licence to get up and down all day. The tight and narrow centre back three allowed for one of them to step up into the midfield and act as a third defensive midfielder.
Andre Gomes was the more aggressive of the double pivot, often occupying the number 10 position. With a dynamic front three, being able to drop deep and get in behind the defence.
The interlinking play between the front three was the real threat from Everton. With 4 goal contributions coming from players playing in that front three.
This system suits the players that Everton has at their disposal. New signing Vitaliy Mykolenko was able to push on from that left wing-back position, getting into dangerous areas and creating space for others.
As well as the very dynamic front three of Richarlison, Anthony Gordan and Demari Gray who were constantly worrying opposition defenders.
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Will this be the system going forward?
To arrive at a conclusion you need to look at a multitude of different factors. Firstly, Frank Lampard’s managerial style.
Frank Lampard has displayed his preferred system that worked wonders for him at Derby and Chelsea. It’s a simple yet effective 4-3-3. He used this to catapult Derby to a play-off final and Chelsea to an F.A Cup final.
Key traits of this system are a deep-lying single pivot, used to recycle possession and dictate the tempo coupled with an aggressive midfield double pivot who join attacks and make third man runs.
Two wide forwards occupy the half-space and create central overloads with the attack central midfielders. A number 9 who can both hold the ball up and get off the shoulder of the defender and get in behind.
This managerial system lends itself to the second factor mentioned above, the squad at hand. The above roles can be occupied by players already in the squad to a decent level.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the perfect number nine, Donny Van De Beek and Allan and a returning Abdoulaye Doucouré complete the midfield perfectly as well as having Richarlison and Grey on the wings. However, where Dele Alli fits into this equation is a huge question.
Can he mould to play as an advanced number 8? Or will the former Tottenham starlet fit in to play on either wing, drifting off Calvert-Lewin just like he did to Harry Kane?
The defence picks itself, with new signings Nathan Patterson and Vitaliy Mykolenko the full-backs of the future. Yerry Mina, Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate will be the centre-halves to take the burden of responsibility.
If Lampard does persist with the 3 at the back system the foundations and personnel are already there. Allan and Doucouré are a perfect double pivot. Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Alli can make a dangerous front three.
A further positive regarding this 3 at the back system is that one of Lampard faults as a manager is that he struggles to get a defence sorted. His lack of defensive structure saw him dismissed from the Chelsea job as they were conceding goals at an alarmingly regular rate.
His 3 at the back system provides Everton more solidity and more of a chance to get numbers behind the ball. With this, they are more likely to remain defensively solid whilst also maintaining a threat going forward.
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Will he be a success?
Considering how deep a hole Everton find themselves in any sort of half-decent performance for the rest of the season would be perceived as a success.
With that said, the Everton fanbase is currently a rather disgruntled one to say the least, and coupled with the board’s proclivity for dismissing managers, Lampard will have his work cut out winning over both parties.
Most importantly however, the former Chelsea legend has the tools to succeed at Goodison Park. He’s managed at EPL level previously and knows what it's like to take a team and have it over-perform. Once he has a full pre-season with the squad we’ll be able to see what he’s fully capable of. For now though, his immediate task is keeping the Toffees up and building a platform for future campaigns.
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