Harry Redknapp believes that nephew Frank Lampard is up against it in the transfer market this month, while other clubs are spending freely.
Everton travel to Redknapp's former club West Ham United tomorrow for what has turned into an early relegation zone six-pointer. And the Toffees are likely to come face-to-face with Hammers new-boy Danny Ings who was reportedly a loan target for Lampard earlier this month, before the 30-year-old completed a £15million permanent switch from Aston Villa to the London Stadium this week.
Speaking on TalkSPORT, Redknapp confirmed that he speaks to Lampard on the phone about his challenges at Goodison Park but did not offer much in the way of encouragement regarding new signings making their way to the Blues.
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Redknapp said: "He's trying for his life to get one or two in. He knows that they're short in certain areas. I think they were half-interested in Danny Ings, but you look at these other clubs and money they're spending - it's incredible. The Chelseas, they're bringing in another player every day for 30, 40, 50million. It's unreal.
"You're supposed to try and compete with these teams. Even (Nottingham) Forest. Look at the players they've brought in. They must have signed 25 players since the end of last season. But at Everton, nothing seems to happen there at the moment. They just seem to be plodding along with what they've got and trying to get the best out of what they've got, but they're short. They're short of real quality."
Everton boss Lampard is still working hard to try and bring new faces into his squad before the transfer window closes on January 31. According to reports, the Blues could complete a loan deal for Villarreal striker Arnaut Danjuma, but Manchester United's Anthony Elanaga is said to have seen a potential loan move to the Toffees 'blocked' by Erik ten Hag, while Barcelona right-back Hector Bellerin has reportedly 'rejected' the opportunity to join Lampard's struggling squad.
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