Frank Lampard has reiterated that Everton remain in the hunt for a new striker but insisted that there was no “desperation” in their search. Dominic Calvert-Lewin picked up what Lampard described as a “freak injury” on the eve of their first game of the season and has been ruled out for approximately six weeks and for the past couple of games, winger Anthony Gordon has been deployed as a makeshift centre-forward.
Asked how he could allay fans’ fears some seven weeks after Richarlison’s exit that a new frontman had not been signed, Lampard said: “Firstly we’ve got one of England’s main centre-forwards in our squad that got injured three days before the Chelsea game. So I think those weeks after Richarlison are not that valid.
“We had to look at different areas of the team that we needed to strengthen, it wasn’t just that and nobody saw the Dominic injury coming and we have Salomon Rondon who was suspended for the first game now available. The forward areas are definitely an area of the pitch that we do want to strengthen and we have to make sure if we do strengthen, it’s the right player at the right time to improve the squad. There’s a lot of clubs in similar situations and we’re one of those.”
READ MORE: Frank Lampard press conference LIVE - transfer latest and injury news ahead of Nottingham Forest
READ MORE: Ollie Watkins transfer could solve Everton striker crisis and turn the tables on Steven Gerrard
Lampard maintained that there weren’t any specific reasons why Everton had failed to land any attacking targets so far and claimed he wasn’t overly concerned by the situation. He said: “There’s nothing particular. It’s all relative, what you want and type of profile, what’s available, what’s on the market, how much would they cost, what do you want to spend, there’s lots of moving parts to that.”
The Blues boss added: “Dominic Calvert-Lewin is out on the grass now, trying to get fit. He’s an England squad striker when fit and firing. We saw what he can bring us at the end of last season and Salomon Rondon is here.
“I know everybody’s eyes are on that position and I’ve been pretty honest that we’re looking there but the idea that it’s desperation is not there. As I said earlier, we have to make the right move for the right player at the right time in a considered way and we remain in that position and we’ve got two weeks left.”
Quizzed on how he’d feel if Everton were unable to land a striker, Lampard said: “Again it’s hypotheticals. We’re trying to improve the squad in any way we can. When we get to the end of the window, you can ask me that question again if there’s no striker here.”
READ NEXT:
Ex-Manchester United winger sends 'come and get me' signal to Everton
Monaco sporting director Mitchell makes Dele claim amid Everton exit reports
Wolves record signing Matheus Nunes joins Everton team that could have been
Gordon and Dele head to head and four other things spotted in Everton training
Onana makes 'crazy' Everton claim after 'getting chills' ahead of Goodison debut
