Frank Lampard has responded to criticism that Dele Alli has received following his move to Everton.
The England international joined the Blues on transfer deadline day from Tottenham and was presented to the Goodison Park crowd, alongside fellow new arrival Donny van de Beek, during Everton’s 4-1 win over Brentford on Saturday.
However, Alli has faced bizarre criticism based on his choice of car and fashion sense from various pundits since completing his move to the Blues.
Asked if he had any thoughts on the comments surrounding the 25-year-old, Everton boss Lampard stated that his focus remained on what Alli could do for his side on the pitch.
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“I’ve heard some of the reaction and I’ve got a lot of respect for everyone who’s spoken,” Lampard said in his pre-match press conference, ahead of Tuesday’s important clash with Newcastle.
“Ex-players and people that I admire in Ally McCoist, Alan Brazil, Glenn Hoddle - I would never go against their word.
“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, what clothes he wears, as long as I get a lad who comes to training every day and wants to improve every day.
“Respects the club, respects his teammates and then produces and gives everything to produce.”
Lampard added: “I think the modern day has moved on and it’s changed we all have to be very aware of that and again I’m not hitting back at any form of observation because everyone’s allowed their own opinion.
"But I can only deal with what’s in front of me and when I’ve just mentioned that Dele and Donny are both great lads, I mean it.
“And maybe Donny wears an overcoat that's longer than what Dele wears, a different kind of jacket, that doesn’t bother me as long as they produce on the pitch.
"Everyone has their own individual personality. To try and handcuff that or restrict that I think would be detrimental. So as I say, as long as players do the right behaviours when it comes to football and doing the right things I’ve got no worries.”
