Dele Alli: Lampard savaged in damning Everton verdict after snub – pundit
Frank Lampard has been accused of playing for a draw against West Ham after bringing Mason Holgate into the Everton midfield over Dele Alli.
That is the view of former Leeds striker Noel Whelan, who was speaking exclusively to Football Insider in the wake of the Toffees’ 2-1 loss against the Irons on Sunday (3 April).
Alli, 25, seemed the obvious choice to come into the lineup when Donny van de Beek suffered an injury in the warm-up at the London Stadium – but Lampard instead opted to bring centre-back Holgate into the Everton midfield.
The 37-cap England international is yet to start since signing from Tottenham for a reported potential fee of £40million in January.
Speaking on Sky Sports pre-match, former Liverpool boss Graeme Souness claimed Alli is already in “last chance saloon” at Goodison Park.
Whelan suggested Lampard’s decision epitomises the lack of “belief and confidence” at Everton.
“That decision just speaks volumes on how Dele Alli is rated at Everton,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“That says to me that Frank Lampard was trying to protect, and trying to come for a draw.
“The reality for Everton right now is, they need wins. I’m really not seeing anything from them at all. Even if Lampard is telling us that he thinks they’ll be ok.
“I don’t see too much belief or confidence in this side. There’s a real lack of bravery out there. Someone needs to step up and be brave.”
As quoted by club media (3 April), Lampard insisted he has a “strong belief” he can keep Everton up.
The former Chelsea boss has won just two of his eight league matches in charge of the Toffees.
In other news, medical expert names Van de Beek return date as injury details revealed.