For Conor Coady it was “a phone call I will remember for a long time”.
It was not completely unexpected - his agent had made him aware it was coming. But when the call from Frank Lampard came through on his mobile a player with years of experience in the Premier League and 10 England caps still felt a buzz.
“I was just thinking: 'It's Frank Lampard, one of the greatest England players of all time,” Coady told the ECHO after he signed on loan last month. No explanation was necessary for the 29-year-old, who grew up in St Helens. But it was a personal touch he appreciated. And he was not the only one.
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Everton’s summer was as dramatic as the season that preceded it. Rumours of a takeover swirled within the typical maelstrom of transfer speculation, pre-season, injuries and games that came too soon for the liking of most managers - Lampard included.
When it came to the transfer market the Blues boss was operating from a difficult position in his first full window, his side late to the market after Everton’s Premier League status was only confirmed on the penultimate game of the season, dealing with financial limitations and, of course, approaching the new campaign while the struggles of the last one still resonated with targets.
As a result, Lampard had to use everything in his power to strengthen his hand. The success he enjoyed was down to different factors depending on who you speak to. But whether it was his reputation as a former player, the vision he was able to lay out, or simply that he cared enough to do it, the power of a Frank Lampard phone call emerged as a key theme of the summer at Everton.
Coady had been forewarned but the moment still had an impact on him. When he sat down with the ECHO at Finch Farm shortly after securing his move from Wolverhampton Wanderers, he described the call as “surreal”.
He recalled: “I was just thinking: 'It's Frank Lampard, one of the greatest England players of all time is now on the phone as an Everton manager telling me about the football club'. He didn't really have to tell me about the football club to be honest because I knew all about it already. I know how big it is to people, I know how big it is in sport and how big it is in the city. But just him talking about Everton was incredible for me. Honestly, it is a phone call I will remember for a long time.”
James Tarkowski - the foundation of Lampard’s rebuild and the initial answer to his ambition for a more robust squad - received calls but also met his manager-to-be in person. Detailing his experience, he said: “I spoke to him over a few conversations. I wanted it done early. I didn’t want to sit around waiting. I wanted to be decisive. As soon as I spoke to the manager, I made up my mind. It was decided. He knew me as a player, my strengths and my character. He thought I would work well here.
“We had a personal one-on-one meeting first of all and got to know each other really well. That first 45 minutes went well. It was all natural. He is very easy to talk to. After that there were a few more discussions.”
The 29-year-old, available on a free, had several suitors but it was Everton he ultimately selected. Tarkowski had ended last season with Burnley, the same side Dwight McNeil arrived from when he joined the Blues in July. He too had been won over by Lampard. For McNeil, Lampard’s allure was a mix of what he achieved in the game, what he could therefore learn from him and how he set out the future at Goodison Park. He said: “He played the game at such a high level and you can see what he achieved throughout his career. I’ve spoken to him about what he wants from me. His compliments were obviously nice to hear but he also spoke about areas where I need to improve. I really want to be part of the journey here.”
Lampard’s man management has been the subject of focus this summer. Keeping Everton up was as much a victory for the psychological side of the game after he arrested a spiral towards relegation and built spirit in both the dressing room and the stands. Looking back on the final weeks of last season earlier this summer Paul Clement, part of Lampard’s backroom team, highlighted this: “I think the manager did this really well… managing the psychology of not only the team but also of the club. He did an amazing job at that, because that is not easy… I think that was special. That's a difficult skill to do, that, to not only bring the team along but also the club as a whole and the fans as a whole and those scenes were outstanding."
It appears clear that, when Lampard has a message, people want to listen to it - a point emphasised by Coady after he took part in his first training sessions at Finch Farm. He said: “Even in training the other day when we were listening to him talk, he was talking about how we want to go about things and how we want to do things and come together as a team. He is so, so passionate about the football club. He is so, so passionate about the boys in the dressing room as well. Just listening to him makes you feel everything about what he is trying to do.”
Lampard himself is reluctant to attribute his own character or personality to attracting players to the club. For him, as a former player, he understands the importance of the connection between a player and a manager. He also understands the importance of laying out a role for that player - explaining the future they have in within his vision. That is different for every individual.
Asked by the ECHO how he felt when new signings spoke of the power of their interaction with him, and whether he thought it was his reputation or the masterplan he laid out for the future at Everton that was more appealing, he was unsure.
He explained: "I know how important the relationship is between a manager and player, especially when you come into a club. I think it is important to get to the bottom of that very quickly, firstly on what you think of the player and secondly what the vision of the club is, and what you think you are bringing them into. That looks different for every player, it looks different for Conor Coady than it does for [Amadou] Onana. It is important for me to be honest about that, and speak to them honestly about that. And in terms of my playing career, does that help? Maybe a bit. How long does it help for? Probably not that long, because the new generation probably won’t remember much of my career. I just try to be forthcoming, and pretty honest and it is a big part of my job because recruitment is going to be absolutely key.”
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