Frank Lampard believes that new signing James Garner’s return to match sharpness has handed a boost to Everton’s midfield options.
Although Brazilian international Allan was allowed to join United Arab Emirates side Al Wahda last week, the Blues boss was still able to name six central midfielders in his matchday squad against West Ham United last time out.
Alex Iwobi was selected alongside summer signings Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye for the first time, which meant that Tom Davies, who had started three of the four previous matches, dropped to the bench. However, with another of his new recruits, Garner, who joined for £15million on transfer deadline day having impressed England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley – himself a former holding midfielder for Everton – in Tuesday night’s 3-1 win over their Germany counterparts at Bramall Lane, Lampard believes he now possesses competition for places.
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He said: “I’ve spoken to Tom. I get on really well with Tom, and he was understanding of it even though he wants to play.
“When I have six midfield players, if it’s for three positions, I have to have those conversations and I have to have everyone ready to go at all times. So Tom was unfortunate, Doucs (Abdoulaye Doucoure) is now back fit and James Garner, when he came, wasn’t fit, he declared that to me, due to the process of leaving Manchester United left him training not at the level.
“West Ham he was kind of fit for but it’s great that he played a game and played so well for the Under-21s and now he’s ready to go. He’s impressed me in training very much, as a lad and as a player, that’s why we brought him here, he has real potential for now and for the future.”
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