FRANK Lampard has revealed he must deliver some “tough love” to get Dele Alli back to his brilliant best.
The Everton boss admits the player he signed back in January wasn’t the same one who tore up the Premier League in his first three seasons with Spurs, stating “Four years ago, the way he was playing, we wouldn’t have seen him (coming to Goodison).”
And in assessing how he will help the England star to return to his levels of 2016-17 - where he scored an astonishing 23 goals for Tottenham from an attacking midfield position - Lampard explained it will take a mixture of some harsh words, and serious support on the mental side of football.
“I think it’s sometimes support and sometimes tough love - because there are things you sometimes have to hear that are serious things you need to do to get the best out of yourself. That’s Dele or any player. And obviously, we will constantly support them because they are young men and they come under these huge pressures.
“If I heard those numbers (about his goalscoring) and didn’t know the player, and saw 23 goals, 15 goals, then three goals and two goals or whatever it is, I would go: ‘we’ve got to find a solution to that’.
“There must be something there which can be physical, or it can be mental, so I think it is important he has a support mechanism, and not just me, he has to support himself, and the people around him.”
Dele reached double figures in his first three seasons at Tottenham, producing his most productive campaign in 2016-17, and then repeated his goalscoring success with 15 the following season. But his numbers and confidence dropped during the sterile years of Jose Mourinho and then Antonio Conte, recording just three goals and then 2 in his past two seasons.
Lampard revealed that he has made clear to the midfielder that his revival can only start with intense hard work on the training ground.
“The first thing Dele needs to do is find consistency in his training, and that is something I have spoken about. For me, full pelt in training is non-negotiable, and I think Dele needs, needed, to understand that is important for me and for him.”
Dele also has the tough position of knowing that Everton - who are still struggling financially, after only avoiding Premier League profit and sustainability sanctions by selling Richarlison - must pay £10m for him when he reaches 20 appearances for the club, with his manager adding: “I think he still has to remain patient to a degree in terms of the squad we have.”
Lampard indicated he is still hopeful of bringing in new faces before the transfer window closes, with talks continuing over Lille midfielder Amadou Onana, after matching a West Ham offer of £33m for the Belgium international.
And the Blues have enquired about Wolves skipper Conor Coady, after being encouraged that the England centre half would be allowed to leave at the right price.
