"We have to value identity… being clear about who we are and what we are and how we are going to play is very important."
Those were the words of Kevin Thelwell following his appointment as Everton's director of football earlier this year. Recruitment mattered, he went on to say - but so did developing young talent and creating a culture and shared vision for all those working to take the club forward.
His priority is the creation of a support network that enables Frank Lampard to get the best out of his squad and in the months since his arrival Thelwell has set about overhauling the setup at Finch Farm. As work continues ahead of the new season his influence - along with that of Lampard, who he gets on well with, is becoming increasingly clear.
