Everton boss Frank Lampard is set to replicate his Chelsea stance of affording chances to the club’s academy graduates as he bids to create a “young and hungry” squad for next season.
Lampard was not afraid to give the club’s talented crop of young players first team chances at Stamford Bridge and i understands the plan is to do the same at Goodison Park – while also being active in the transfer market.
Everton are targeting a high-profile midfielder who fits a recruitment template that will place a premium on younger players with potential and desire to prove themselves, and have targeted Wolves’ England under-21 international Morgan Gibbs-White.
But Lampard is also looking closer to home and has been impressed by 19-year-old box-to-box midfielder Lewis Warrington, who spent time on loan at neighbours Tranmere last season.
More from Football
i understands the club has resisted loan interest in Warrington so far this summer and Lampard is contemplating promoting him to the first-team squad.
Lampard also wants to see more of striker Lewis Dobbin, midfielder Isaac Price and Nathan Broadhead, who was on loan at Sunderland last season. The Black Cats remain keen on re-signing Broadhead.
Ellis Simms, who was on loan at Hearts and has interest from the EFL, was also included in the club’s squad to tour the US.
A commitment to improving the club’s pathway from academy to first team was common in the interviews of both Lampard and director of football Kevin Thirlwell, so it is no surprise they were all included in the party that jetted off for the club’s US tour on Monday.
But the club are hopeful of adding further recruits before the team return.
The Toffees have seen an opening bid for Gibbs-White knocked back by Wolves but i understands the player is keen on the move and there is optimism that a deal can be structured which works for all parties.
Thirlwell knows Gibbs-White well from his former posting at Wolves and has been advocating for a move for a player who excelled on loan at Sheffield United last season.
Lampard is also keen on Connor Gallagher but Chelsea will leave it until later in the summer before making a final call on his future. Another loan is a possibility and Everton are also in dialogue with the Blues over Armando Broja.
i understands Everton have funds to spend this summer and there is no pressure to sell. There will be a premium placed on players with good appearance records – which is what partly encouraged the club to diverge from their new model of recruiting young players to sign 29-year-old James Tarkowksi, who was available for 35 or more Premier League games in each of his last four seasons.
The club have reiterated to interested parties that there is no chance of them selling Anthony Gordon, who has attracted bids from Spurs and Newcastle this summer.
from Football | News and analysis from the Premier League and beyond | iNews https://ift.tt/XYe8wsW
Post a Comment