Everton news: Expert issues ‘exceptional’ Frank Lampard claim after what he’s seen – ‘it’s big’
Noel Whelan has insisted keeping Everton in the Premier League is Frank Lampard’s “best accomplishment” in football.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, credited the 43-year-old and the Toffees fans for “dragging” the Merseysiders to safety.
Everton secured their Premier League status in the season’s penultimate game (19 May), coming back from 2-0 down to defeat Crystal Palace 3-2 at Goodison Park – before slumping to a 5-1 defeat at Arsenal on the final day (22 May).
Lampard succeeded Rafa Benitez in January but could only manage one win from his first six league matches.
However, the former Chelsea and Derby boss masterminded three wins from the Toffees’ final six games of the season to finish with a four-point buffer to relegated Burnley.
As quoted by The Independent (20 May), Lampard suggested surviving the drop is “right up there” with some of his best achievements as a manager.
Whelan claimed the “exceptional” turnaround is the Champions League winner’s most impressive triumph.
“Look, this is Frank’s biggest accomplishment,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“Both as a player and as a manager.
“The circumstances, the pressure – he came into a side which looked down and out. He kept the players motivated and kept believing in the team.
“Frank and the fans have dragged them through it, and the players have risen to the challenge. Big players like Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison have really come up with big moments.
“They were exceptional in the final few games.
“Credit to Frank because he’s turned it around at Everton. I can’t see them being in that position again next season.”
In other news, Everton and Crystal Palace plot moves for Serie A midfield star.