Michael Keane: Everton defender facing axe v Wolves as teen tipped to start – pundit
Kevin Phillips has tipped Frank Lampard to axe Michael Keane to bring Jarrad Branthwaite into the Everton starting XI for Sunday’s clash against Wolves.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Sunderland striker insisted “something needs to change” after the 29-year-old’s horror show versus Tottenham on Monday.
The England centre-back scored an own goal and was replaced by Branthwaite, 19, at half-time with the score at 3-0.
As quoted by the Liverpool Echo on Friday (11 March), Lampard revealed Keane had been suffering from a “fever” but is “feeling better” ahead of Sunday’s game.
However, Phillips suggested the former Burnley man could be left out the starting XI.
“I think something needs to change,” Phillips told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury when asked if Branthwaite could start.
“There needs to be a shift in something there. Whether that means Keane dropping out and somebody else coming in, it might be that little tweak you need to kickstart a little run.
“It’s been an up and down season for them, as we know. It’s not been an incredible start for Lampard, it’s been up and down.
“You need to try and find that consistency and maybe actually that little tweak could kickstart that little run.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if that change was made.”
Keane has played featured in all seven of Lampard’s games in charge of Everton so far.
Meanwhile, Branthwaite has made just three appearances since the 43-year-old’s arrival at Goodison Park.
The academy graduate has started six times in 10 games for the senior side to date.
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