Everton boss Frank Lampard hits back at a number of pundits this week over bizarre Dele Alli criticism which got plenty of talk online.
The player has been defend over odds comments made from Glenn Hoddle, Ally McCoist and Alan Brazil about Alli’s clothes and car.
Frank Lampard has said he will judge Alli on what he produces for Everton on the pitch and not on his choice of clothes or car.
🗣 “I don’t care what car he drives, clothes he wears, as long as I get a lad who comes to training every day, wants to improve every day.”
Frank Lampard responds to the criticism Dele Alli faced over the weekend about his appearance from ex-pros pic.twitter.com/60PaP1qmn0
— Toffee TV (@ToffeeTVEFC) February 7, 2022
The new signing has received strange criticism since his deadline day signing from Tottenham, with Alan Brazil confused at the player arrived in a Rolls-Royce while Hoddle wasn’t pleased with the clothes he wore at Goodison Park on Saturday.
While admitting the pundits have a right to their opinion, the new Everton manager said he would not “handcuff” the midfielder’s personality.
Instead he is more concerned with the 25-year-old’s efforts to reignite his career than lifestyle choices. Alli, and his fellow new recruit Donny van de Beek, are in the Everton squad for the Premier League trip to Newcastle on Tuesday.
“I’ve heard some of the reaction and I have a lot of respect for everyone who has spoken, ex-players who I admire in Ally McCoist, Alan Brazil, Glenn Hoddle; I would never go against their word,” said Lampard. “But when you are working closely with players and working with Dele, I don’t 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 teammates and then produces and gives everything to produce.
“The modern day has moved on, we all have to be aware of that and I’m not hitting back at any former players’ observations because everyone is allowed their own opinion but I can only deal with what’s in front of me.
“Dele and Donny are both great lads. Maybe Donny wears an overcoat that is longer than the one Dele wears and he has a different type of jacket, but it doesn’t bother me. As long as they produce on the pitch then I’m very happy.
“Everyone 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.”
Lampard also spoke on Alli’s downturn in his career at Tottenham, saying Everton’s coaching staff will do all they can to revive the fortunes of the England international.
“The conversations have to happen,” Lampard said. “There’s such a big eye on Dele’s situation and we signed a big player and we want to get the best out of him. My job is to do that.”
🚗 𝗔𝗹𝗮𝗻: “I want Alli playing…but he’s arrived in a Rolls Royce! Don’t do that!”
🤷♂️ 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝘆: “I don’t think you’re wrong but we’re a completely different generation.”
Brazil & McCoist discuss Dele Alli arriving to #EFC training in a Rolls Royce. pic.twitter.com/nzVuwUQCYI
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) February 3, 2022
Brazil said on the talkSPORT Breakfast: “A thing that annoyed me… well, it didn’t annoy me, I want to see the guy play football again, but Dele turns up in his Rolls Royce and – maybe I’m old fashioned – but I’m like, ‘oh no, Dele, don’t do that’.
“It’s just little signals like that, to me… am I wrong, Ally?”
“Listen Al, I don’t think you’re wrong, I definitely agree with you,” replied the Rangers legend. “But we are of a completely different generation, that’s the one thing we do have to accept.”
Brazil added: “I’m not saying he should turn up in a ten year old Skoda!”
“I know,” said McCoist. “Wee things like that… I’m bursting for Dele Alli to do well.
“But Evertonians, the fans, they are working class people and I don’t know if it sends out the right message. I’m with you Al, however, I do accept that we are of a completely different generation.”
Glenn Hoddle criticised Dele Alli’s outfit choice as he was introduced to the Everton fans for the first time at Goodison Park, claiming the 25-year-old “should have worn a tracksuit.”
Hoddle said on BT Sport: “There’s a route back for him if he gets his boots back on and gets his head down.
“I didn’t like the way he walked out on the pitch with what he was wearing.
“I know Rob [Robbie Savage] wears a few things like that but we had a look at that, he’s got a new club, you should see how he’s dressed…”
Robbie Savage jumped in, saying: “I thought he looked sensational to be fair!”
Hoddle went on: “I thought he’d just got dragged off the street to be honest.
“If I’m an Everton fan, you’re going to a new club. Put a tracksuit on at least or something.
“He’s got to get his head together. It’s not about Frank Lampard or Everton, he’s got to get back on the horse he’s good at, scoring goals from midfield.
“If he doesn’t do that, I don’t see anyone getting the best from him.”
Twitter users reacted as Frank Lampard hits back at pundits over the bizarre criticism of Dele Alli…
@chris__wright: In a week where we’ve had greenwood and now issues with overmars, who cares what the lad where’s or drives. Look back at some of what these ex pros used to wear. Heck hoddle was knocking out pop songs. It doesn’t matter, all that counts is what he delivers for the team and fans
@Dane4Blue: 100% Frankie. It’s amazing that they criticise Dele for his innocent and harmless choice of car or dress sense, rather than to focus their negative comments on infamous role models such as Giggs! Talk sport and sky sports are going only one way… that’s downward!
@iankd1960: How can anyone not be pleased with this appointment, handles himself so well meets every question head on!
@nomorebooboys: “He wears what he wants he wears what he wants oh Dele Alli can wear what he wants”
@jaysmith1878: It’s refreshing that a manager even gets involved and supports the players individuality, #lovefrank
@huwants2no: Spot on. No bullsh1t from Frank. Let the feet do the talking. Good call gaffer
@bankruptspurs: Are we really going to ask managers to clarify the situation every time a bunch of gammons wet themselves for attention?
@D84537821D: Has he seen DCL in a school skirt yet
@hayesmatt903: Nobody should give a flying what car he drives! Aslong as he performs on the pitch that’s all that matters. Hoddle and Brazil just trying to get views
@ding_senor: Unless he rocked up wearing a Spurs shirt, who cares what clobber he’s wearing?
@AaronJay83: Finally a manager calling out this nonsense about how a player expresses themselves through what the wear. Who bloody cares? More important things to worry about
Kids didn’t dress like this back in my day! pic.twitter.com/LSRAK0bnJw
— ⚡️ PM92 (@Darkness3718) February 7, 2022
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