Frank Lampard could look to more than one attacking signing in the January transfer window as Everton look to address their lack of cutting edge up front.
The Blues have struggled to find the net this season with just 11 scored in 14 Premier League matches so far - and 17 conceded - which has left them a point above the relegation places.
Only two goals have been scored by recognised strikers at the club and Lampard's side have found life tough in attack in light of Dominic Calvert-Lewin's ongoing injury problems. The January window is just around the corner and Everton's recruitment department have been drawing a shortlist of potential options to bolster their goalscoring options.
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Everton are still constrained by financial considerations, but Lampard is confident there is an understanding at the top of the club's hierarchy about the need to strengthen.
Lampard said he was unclear what his budget would be in the new year but stressed he had "the support and a joined-up understanding" that he needs to "help the squad in January". While the club was hopeful Calvert-Lewin would maintain his pre-season fitness and be a consistent source of goals this season, there was recognition from within that there was a lack of back-up heading into the new campaign.
Boosted by Calvert-Lewin's impressive fitness before his devastating injury on the eve of the first game of the season, Lampard and those around him made making the squad more defensively solid their priority. That approach has been largely successful but Calvert-Lewin's absence and the struggle for goals from elsewhere has undermined the defensive gains. The search to identify attacking improvements saw late summer interest in the likes of Mohammed Kudus, Mykhailo Mudryk and Morgan Gibbs-White and did not end when the window closed.
Lampard is hopeful part of the solution lies within the squad - and that Calvert-Lewin can use the next few weeks to overcome knee, hamstring and shoulder issues and return to full fitness ready for the resumption of the Premier League on Boxing Day. But reducing the pressure on Calvert-Lewin is a big consideration too.
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