Dele Alli is hoping to reignite his career after joining Everton on deadline day.
The former Tottenham star, 25, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Goodison Park after the two clubs agreed a transfer fee that could rise to £40million.
Supporters were stunned by the last-minute move, although Everton's appointment of Frank Lampard on the same day will no doubt have played a role in Alli's decision.
The new Toffees manager is a huge fan of the England international's ability, previously backing him to beat his outstanding record.
Lampard has more goals than any midfielder in Premier League history - 177, to be precise - and he predicted Alli would surpass that tally in April 2017.
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At the time, Alli was the reigning PFA Young Player of the Year - a title he would defend just days later - and had already scored 26 Premier League goals, despite being just 21.
"Could he score more than me?" Lampard asked. "He could do. Of all the midfield players I’ve seen who scores goals, he’s the one who is the best at it.
"Dele Alli is a special player. He’s better than me when I was 20, that’s for sure! He is like a second striker at the moment, but that makes sense with the way they play.
"He scores goals like he did against Watford, but he’s also in the six-yard box scoring. Too many attacking midfield players get to the penalty spot and stop, don’t go that extra mile.
"We talk about Hazard being the best player in the league, I don’t think Dele Alli is that far away from him."
Lampard's comments will make Alli feel 10 feet tall after a difficult 18 months for club and country.
The midfielder has scored just once in the Premier League since the start of the 2020-21 campaign and hasn't played for England since 2019.
Alli is confident, however, of kick-starting his stuttering career and proving why he's a 37-cap international ahead of this year's World Cup in Qatar.
"I’m delighted to have signed for Everton, a huge club with a great fanbase and history," he said. "I'm eager to get started and can't wait for my first game in an Everton shirt.
"I’m looking forward to helping the team and the opportunity to work with the new manager Frank Lampard."
Everton - who have also signed Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek on loan - are hoping to climb away from danger in the coming weeks.
The Toffees are currently 16th, just four points above the drop zone and face relegation rivals Newcastle at St James' Park on February 8 - Lampard's first game in charge.
"You can feel the passion Everton fans have for their club," said Lampard in his first interview as Everton manager. "That will be hugely important.
"As a team – the competitive level that the Premier League brings and the position we are in the table – we certainly need that. It's a two-way thing.
"I think Everton is a unique club in that you can really understand what the fans want to see. The first thing they want is fight and desire and that must always be our baseline.
"My first message to the players will be that we have to do this together. We’ll try to do our job and I know the fans will be there backing us."
