Frank Lampard plots two forward signings to catapult Everton away from relegation trouble (original) (raw)

Everton are reportedly in the market to sign two forward players this month as Frank Lampard looks for more firepower to steer the club away from relegation trouble.

The Toffees currently sit 18th in the table after their 4-1 home mauling against Brighton last time out dropped them into bottom three. And Lampard is fully aware that he needs more goals to begin to climb the table.

A report from Football Insider claims that the club’s recruitment team have let it be known to agents they want a target man to provide cover and competition for injury-plagued Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

The Goodison Park outfit will not stop there though. They also eye a more versatile forward with pace who can stretch the opposition on counter-attacks.

Talks are known to have opened with potential targets, with a move for Aston Villa’s Danny Ings already well publicised.

Coventry’s £18million-rated frontman Viktor Gyokeres is also on Everton’s radar. Villarreal’s Nicolas Jackson continues to be mentioned as another option.

TEAMtalk also understands that Lorient winger Dango Ouattara could move to Merseyside, although Bournemouth and Leicester are also in the running for his signature.

Everton’s need for forward help is plain for all to see. And it’s even more paramount when considering they’ve only scored 14 league goals in 18 games this term.

Calvert-Lewin, Maupay not pulling their weight

Calvert-Lewin and Neal Maupay are Lampard’s only senior strikers. However, youngster Ellis Simms was recalled from his loan at Sunderland on New Year’s Eve.

Lampard opted to recall Simms after allowing Salomon Rondon’s contract to be terminated earlier than planned.

But it’s Calvert-Lewin’s constant injury issues that have really plagued the Toffees this season. Indeed, the England forward has managed only six Premier League starts and has scored only once.

Summer signing Maupay has also struggled in front of goal, scoring once in 13 league games. He has, however, only started seven of those outings.

Football Insider adds that bringing in fresh forward talent could well be the key to survival, especially considering that, the Brighton debacle aside, Lampard’s men have looked much better defensively this season.

The summer additions of James Tarkowski and Conor Coady have made a big difference, while Ben Godfrey’s outstanding display in keeping Erling Haaland quiet in the recent 1-1 draw with Manchester City shows that Lampard has largely got that side of his team in much better shape.

The loss of Alex Iwobi in midfield will not help matters though. The club’s best player this season is expected to be out for a few weeks with an ankle injury.

Everton are back in action on Saturday when they face relegation rivals Southampton in a huge six-pointer.