As long as Dele Alli produces on the pitch then I’ll be happy – Frank Lampard

Everton v Brentford – Emirates FA Cup – Fourth Round – Goodison Park
(Image credit: Peter Byrne)

Everton manager Frank Lampard believes it would be detrimental to “handcuff” individual personalities like Dele Alli after his new signing came in for criticism over his appearance.

Former England boss Glenn Hoddle said the player looked like he had been “dragged off the street” when he was presented to the crowd at half-time of Saturday’s FA Cup victory over Brentford.

Lampard, however, wants players to be themselves and express their individuality.

“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,” said Lampard.

“But when you are working closely with players and working with Dele, 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, respects his team-mates 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 observation because everyone is allowed their own opinion but I can only deal with what is in front of me.

“And what I’ve just mentioned, that Dele and Donny are both great lads, I mean it.

Dele Alli is presented at Goodison Park

Dele Alli’s attire came in for criticism (Peter Byrne/PA)

“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 then I’m very happy. Everyone has their own individual personality and to try to handcuff or restrict that I think could be detrimental.”

That does not mean, however, that Alli – or any player – will be given free rein on the pitch.

Lampard has a specific way of working and while there is some room for individual expression, players have to follow the game plan.

“It’s a different question to ‘What coat is Dele wearing?’. It is more when you have a game plan, players have to have a discipline within that,” he added.

Frank Lampard

Frank Lampard guided Everton to victory in his first match as manager (Peter Byrne/PA)

“I am not a fan of absolute freedom, I think that is an easy way to coach – ‘Go on lads, go and do it, express yourself’ – there has to be a plan.

“But when you do get to the final third it is not for me to tell Anthony (Gordon) or Demarai (Gray) or Dele or Donny (Van De Beek) what decisions to take in that area. That is where you have to give a little bit of licence to those players.

“I’ll always offer freedom within the structure of how we are playing but the structure of the team is really important for me, so the players have to buy into that first.”

Both Alli and loan signing Van De Beek will be in the squad for the first time, having been cup-tied on Saturday, as Everton travel to Newcastle for a crucial game against their relegation rivals on Tuesday.

Striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin also returns after a knee problem but defender Ben Godfrey has been ruled out for four to five weeks with a hamstring injury sustained at the weekend.

Read more
Morgan Gibbs-White of Nottingham Forest reacts, to Nottingham Forest fans chanting "Englands number 10" after the Premier League match between Ipswich Town FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Portman Road on March 15, 2025 in Ipswich, England.
'I was shocked by some of the names in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad - some players might already want a new manager': Three Lions boss warned ahead of first clash tonight
David Moyes smiles on his return to Everton in January 2025
'The atmosphere is a lot more positive: when a new manager comes in it gives everyone a new lease of life, players that haven’t played as much get a new chance to impress' - Everton behind-the-scenes update after David Moyes makes immediate impact
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Ange Postecoglou manager / head coach of Tottenham Hotspur after the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park on February 09, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
'Ange Postecoglou will not change. He's got to where he is playing this style of football, whether its in Australia, Japan, to Scotland at Celtic and now at Spurs, so why would he change it?' Tottenham manager backed by Australia and Premier League legend
Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates with teammates after Bart Verbruggen of Brighton & Hove Albion (not pictured) scores a own goal during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea at Amex Stadium on February 08, 2025 in Brighton, England.
Chelsea and Enzo Maresca have three major problems they must solve after crashing out of the FA Cup with alarm bells now ringing
England boss Thomas Tuchel has laid down the law
England boss Thomas Tuchel SLAMS Mikel Arteta over 'schedule' double-standards
Sean Dyche on the touchline for Everton
Sacking Sean Dyche could either make or break Everton, with no in between
Latest in
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed
Alan Shearer celebrates one of his five goals for Newcastle United against Sheffield Wednesday in September 1999.
'My Premier League record won't last forever. It will go one day and when it does go, and if it's to Harry, he knows I'd be the first to congratulate him and shake his hand': Alan Shearer magnanimous when discussing biggest threat to goalscoring record
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham to sack Ange Postecoglou - with London rivals' boss lined up: report
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed
Alan Shearer celebrates one of his five goals for Newcastle United against Sheffield Wednesday in September 1999.
'My Premier League record won't last forever. It will go one day and when it does go, and if it's to Harry, he knows I'd be the first to congratulate him and shake his hand': Alan Shearer magnanimous when discussing biggest threat to goalscoring record
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou
Tottenham to sack Ange Postecoglou - with London rivals' boss lined up: report