‘I don’t care what Alli drives as long as he produces’
FRANK LAMPARD does not care what car Dele Alli drives or how he dresses as long as he delivers on the pitch.
The new Everton signing came in for criticism last week when he arrived at training in a Rolls-Royce.
Former Tottenham star Glenn Hoddle also questioned Alli’s attire when the Toffees introduced him to fans at Goodison Park before their win over Brentford in the
FA Cup on Saturday.
But ahead of what could be his debut tonight against Newcastle, new Everton manager Lampard, below, reiterated what no doubt Alli’s managers at Tottenham were also thinking – deliver on the pitch and no one will care what you wear or drive.
He said: “I’ve 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. I would never go against their word.
“My personal opinion is that 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, it’s changed, we all have to be aware of that and I’m not hitting back at any former [players’] observation because everyone is allowed their own opinion. But I can only deal with what’s in front of me.
“And what I’ve just mentioned, that Dele and Donny van de Beek are both great lads, I mean it.
“Maybe Donny wears an overcoat that is longer than Dele wears and he has a different type of jacket, but it doesn’t bother me – as long as they produce on the pitch.”
Lampard and Everton have a huge clash at St James’ Park tonight in his first league game in charge of the club.
They are four points above Newcastle and the bottom three after just one win in 14 league games, so defeat will drag them into a relegation fight.
Lampard said: “There is pressure on the game, the realism of the situation we are in. I believe the players can [handle it] – it’s also my job and the staff’s job to help with that. We have to isolate the game that’s in front of us, prepare well for it, try to get the right result and understand that there is a long way to go after it.
“Whatever the table looks like after, we will neither be safe, we will neither be in relegation, we will neither be in the top 10 or whatever.”