Frank Lampard's priorities include identifying a defensive midfielder as he attempts to strengthen Everton before the start of the new Premier League season.
The Blues boss played five at the back in the club's first pre-season game of the summer - returning to the formation that helped the side survive last year's relegation battle. Following the fixture in the US city of Baltimore he explained this approach was partly out of necessity.
In his post-match comments he detailed how he is in constant contact with director of football Kevin Thelwell about developments in the transfer market. But he also said the hunt for a traditional 'number six' - as with other positions in the squad - would include assessing options within the current squad, praising the impact of substitutes Lewis Warrington and Jean-Phillipe Gbamin.
READ MORE: Everton player 'ratings' against Arsenal as James Tarkowski and three youngsters impress
READ MORE: Everton handed glimpse of future as Frank Lampard left facing familiar problem after Arsenal loss
Lampard started with three centre backs - as he often did during the end of last season. In the first half Mason Holgate partnered Yerry Mina and Ben Godfrey. In the second 45 minutes of the 2-0 defeat that changed to Michael Keane. new signing James Tarkowski and academy prospect Reece Welch.
Explaining his approach, he said: "I would like to be a bit more flexible because at the minute we have to probably play a back three because of the personnel on this trip - a lot of centre halves and in midfield we don't really have natural holding midfielders to perhaps play three in midfield like Arsenal did tonight. So there are things that are a work in progress at the minute. My job is to focus on those parts - where can we bring in players to improve but also in training, where can we drill?"
Lampard said he was pleased with "snippets" of the game and, when asked about how improvements - including options to help him examine a new system - could be found, he said: "We will always look at the solutions within the squad. I thought Lewis Warrington did really well when he came on in midfield, he is confident, he did well on the ball. Gbamin the same, I thought he did pretty well as well. Doucs' [Abdoulaye Doucoure] natural ability is more as an eight, you don't want to take away his natural running ability. I think Tom Davies is probably more of an eight as well. He can do different positions, you know he is a good footballer Tom, really good on the ball... Probably the position we are looking for is someone with maybe more positional defensive attributes as a real strength of their game."
So far this summer Everton have signed Tarkowski, but Lampard said he is hopeful of progress in the transfer market, adding: "We are actively trying to push things forward."
READ NEXT:
- Abdoulaye Doucoure reveals Everton new contract 'position' and makes admission over future
- Record-breaking Everton transfer collapsed in 'high farce' due to 'financial lust'
- Everton and the battle of becoming 'America's team' as aggressive expansion starts to work
- Update provided on future of Everton transfer target after training injury fears
Everton target sets transfer 'deadline' as Maxwel Cornet stance becomes clear
