Frank Lampard reacts to return of Dele Alli…

Frank Lampard reacts to return of Dele Alli 'trademark' and makes Everton transfers claim

Dele Alli's brace was a welcome bonus for Frank Lampard as his Everton side provided a number of positives against Blackpool.

The Blues gained their first win - scoring their first goals - of pre-season during an impressive performance on the seaside. Alli's display was one of several positives that stood out, the former Tottenham Hotspur player scoring twice and repeatedly presenting a threat to Blackpool.

Lampard was clear his side is "absolutely not the finished article" following the Bloomfield Road win - which followed summer defeats to Arsenal and Minnesota United. But "little stories" like that of Alli's performance and the stand out displays of wing backs Nathan Patterson and Vitalii Mykolenko were "a good step forward", he said:

Alli arrived on Merseyside in January, though his biggest contribution at Everton came in the penultimate game of the season. The 26-year-old was brought on with the Blues 2-0 down against Crystal Palace and then helped inspire the memorable comeback that secured the club's Premier League status.

He was involved in each of the club's tour games in the US, perhaps most notably failing to convert a guilt-edged opportunity against Minnesota United in the 4-0 defeat at the Allianz Field. On Sunday he fought back from that miss with an impressive display against Championship side Blackpool.

Alli repeatedly drove at the heart of the hosts' defence and was a constant nuisance during his performance, capped off with goals created by each of the wing backs. The first saw him finish from close range after a Mykolenko pull back.

Alli proved a popular goalscorer as every outfield teammate sought him out to celebrate with him. His near-post run was then picked out by Patterson for his second, a deft finish taking the ball past Blackpool keeper Daniel Grimshaw.

Lampard refused to get carried away with the overall performance but said he was pleased with several elements of the win, including Alli's involvement.

He said: "They are goals I want to see from him. It was a trademark of his as he broke through at Tottenham for a number of seasons, and we all know what has happened in between, but if he is going to get back to the best of what we want from him he has to arrive into those areas and score those kind of goals. He also has to work on his general play and be part of the team and understand what we are trying to do. I saw some good things there."

Lampard spoke of the need for recruitment during the transfer window after the defeat in Minnesota, highlighting the "void" in attacking options, particularly following the sale of Richarlison. Everton's lack of forward depth was exposed on Sunday when Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Demarai Gray were left out of the squad as a "precaution" - though Everton ultimately proved too strong for their opponents.

Lampard was buoyed by the attacking threat offered by Alli but said there had to be a "collective" effort by his players to replace Richarlison's contribution.

He said: "It has to be not just Dele but other attacking areas of the pitch, we have to be more clinical and get in goalscoring areas. I said after the game in Minnesota we want to bring in players that can help fill that void as well because we want players in the squad, players who can improve the squad, we are all aware of that, we are all working so that is another side, but my day-to-day job is to focus on what we have got and train a bit better so people like Dele getting into those areas of course is a big plus."

He concluded: "There is room for improvement from everyone today. It is absolutely not a finished article, as much as we were good, there are things to improve on, but little stories like Dele and Patts and Myko feeling confident and getting a good performance today is a good step forward."

READ NEXT:

Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here