In the wake of scathing criticism of midfielder Dele Alli by former England great Glenn Hoddle, new Everton manager Frank Lampard has opted to look the other way, saying he is more keen to judge the new signing from Tottenham Hotspurs solely on his football, not on fashion style nor in what car he drives.<\/p>\n
Lampard coolly shrugged off the former England manager\u2019s remarks on Alli\u2019s choice of attire when the latter was unveiled over the weekend.<\/p>\n
Hoddle, obviously unimpressed when the 25-year-old was unveiled to the Goodison Park crowd before Saturday\u2019s FA Cup win over Brentford, criticised that he did not look the part. Earlier in the week Alli had also been castigated by Alan Brazil, the Talksport presenter and former Scotland striker, for turning up to his first training session at Finch Farm last week in a Rolls-Royce.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t like the way he walked out on the pitch with what he was wearing,\u201d Hoddle said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought he\u2019d just got dragged off the street, to be honest. Put a tracksuit on at least, or something.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lampard, with his attention more focused on football matters, casually responded that he would not be interfering in what Alli\u2019s coat or car preferences.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve heard some of the reaction and I have a lot of respect for everyone who has spoken, ex-players, people who I respect and admire in Ally McCoist, Alan Brazil, Glenn Hoddle \u2013 I would never go against their word,\u201d Lampard said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut when you are working closely with players and working with Dele, my personal opinion is that I don\u2019t care what car he drives, what clothes he wears, as long as I get a lad that comes to training every day, wants to improve every day, respects the club and respects his team-mates, and then produces and gives everything to produce. Everyone is allowed their own opinion, but I can only deal with what\u2019s in front of me. Dele and Donny van de Beek are both great lads.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe Donny wears an overcoat that is longer than Dele wears, and he has a different type of jacket, but it doesn\u2019t bother me. As long as they produce on the pitch, then I\u2019m very happy.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone has their own individual personality, and to try to handcuff or restrict that, I think, could be detrimental. As long as the players have the right behaviours when it comes to football and doing the right things, I have no worries.\u201d<\/p>\n
Of greatest pertinence for Lampard is how to get the most from a talent who only three years ago was regarded as one of England\u2019s biggest stars but somehow ended up losing his way under successive managers at Tottenham. Suffice it to say that Alli\u2019s deadline-day move to Everton represents a fresh start for both the midfielder and his new club where both could clearly do with a change of fortunes.<\/p>\n
Lampard is eager to investigate what went wrong.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the discussions and conversations have to happen,\u201d said Lampard, who may give Alli his Everton debut against Newcastle United this evening at St James\u2019 Park. \u201cThere\u2019s such a big eye on Dele\u2019s situation and we are Everton, we signed a big player and we want to get the best out of him.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had conversations with Dele around his game, around everything that surrounds his game day to day. That should be our service to every player.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mentioned this to Dele the other day, getting everything right for him. Some things will be nice; what can we improve and be positive about, while some things maybe won\u2019t be as nice, whether it\u2019s training or whether it is pushing himself in different ways.<\/p>\n
\u201cQuickly we have to find a balance for that and Dele has to buy into it. I feel that he is, and he\u2019s certainly ready to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lampard insists he will not be putting Alli on a timescale to for him to get back to the kind of form which made him an international regular that was such a joy to watch in action.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to put a line or a target on it,\u201d he stressed. \u201cHe was at an extremely high level.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all know that, and I loved watching him play. He was so effective in the way he played.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere we are now, the last thing I want to do is sit here now and say, \u2018This is where we want to get to\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reason I bought him is I want to see those qualities we spoke about two or three years ago, and I believe I can get them out of him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Everton\u2019s squad lineup tonight would likely include Van de Beek.<\/p>\n
Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is also poised for a return to the side following the knock he suffered during the home defeat by Aston Villa, was also Rafael Benitez\u2019s last game in charge at Goodison Park.<\/p>\n
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