Everton-linked Stephy Mavididi could offer Frank Lampard an intriguing transfer option when potentially reshaping his forward line. The Derby-born player, who celebrated his 24th birthday last week, is currently one of the Englishmen abroad, having been tempted to the continent in search of more regular playing opportunities away from the Premier League.
Having started in youth football with Southend United, Mavididi moved into Arsenal’s Academy set-up as a 13-year-old but left the Gunners in 2018 without making a senior appearance despite loan spells at Charlton Athletic (twice) and Preston North End. Spotted by Juventus legend Giorgio Chiellini’s brother Claudio, the Italian giants’ Under-23 team co-ordinator, the player made a sensational move to Piedmont back in 2018.
Although initially brought in for Juve’s B team, who play in Serie C, Mavididi was called up to make his first team debut in a 2-1 loss at SPAL in a Serie A game on April 13, 2019 and in doing so he became the first English player since David Platt in 1992 to represent them. A week later, he celebrated with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the senior squad members who had taken him under his wing, Mavididi said: "He tries to give English banter but it is not that good – he is a good guy, very down to earth", as Juventus secured an eighth consecutive Scudetto, only to then suffer personal tragedy.
