Frank Lampard says he does not care what clothes Dele Alli wears after Glenn Hoddle criticised the new Everton signing's outfit at his unveiling.
Alli took the Goodison Park pitch on Saturday ahead of the Toffees' 4-1 victory over Brentford in the FA Cup fourth round, with the 25-year-old sporting casual clothes.
Hoddle then took aim at Alli's choice of attire, claiming it looked like the former Tottenham Hotspur star had been 'dragged off the street'.
But Everton manager Lampard defended Alli ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Newcastle United on Tuesday by saying: "I've heard some of the reaction and I've got a lot of respect for everyone who have spoken.
"Ex-players, people that I respect and admire in Ally McCoist, Alan Brazil and Glenn Hoddle. I would never go against their word.
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"But when you're working closely with players and working with Dele my personal opinion is that I don't care what car he drives or what clothes he wears."
The midfielder was joined by fellow fresh arrival Donny van de Beek on the field, who has joined the Toffees on a half-season loan from Manchester United.
Van de Beek was wearing a more formal overcoat, but Lampard's concerns are far from fashion.
"As long as I get a lad that comes to training every day, wants to improve every day, respects the club and his team-mates and then produces and then gives everything to produce," the newly-appointed boss affirmed.
"I think the modern day has moved on and it’s changed. We all have to be very aware of that.
"Again, I'm not hitting back at any form of observation because everyone is allowed their own opinion, but I can only deal with what is in front of me.
"When I say that Donny and Dele are great lads, I mean it. Maybe Donny wears an overcoat that is longer than what Dele wears, a different kind of jacket, that doesn’t bother me.
"As long as they deliver on the pitch then I'm very happy with that."
Former England manager Hoddle's comments made headlines when he bemoaned on BT Sport : "If I'm an Everton fan, you’re going to a new club. Put a tracksuit on at least or something.
"He's got to get his head together. It’s not about Frank Lampard or Everton, he's got to get back on the horse he's good at, scoring goals from midfield.
"If he doesn't do that, I don't see anyone getting the best from him."
