Everton will start the new Premier League season against Chelsea without an established striker after Dominic Calvert-Lewin was ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury and Richarlison was sold to Tottenham. A replacement for the Brazil international, along with two midfielders, remains on Lampard’s wish list this transfer window. There is also interest in Wolves defender Connor Cody. Alli has started once since his January move from Spurs, who will receive £10m when the 26-year-old makes 20 appearances for Everton, but has featured more prominently and in an advanced role during pre-season. Lampard admits the England international could be an option in attack this season. The Everton manager said: “It is possible to work with him to become a goalscorer. He has an instinct to get into scoring positions and we have to find ways to get him into those positions and probably give him confidence again. That’s why I brought him to the club. “We all knew the position [at Spurs]. At the same time, we also knew if we could get him into the sweet spot where he was, then he would be a big asset for us. It is clear on many levels for everyone this season and certainly for Dele. He has worked hard in pre-season and will be a very useful player for us if he continues to apply himself in the right way.” Alli’s goalscoring record has plummeted in recent seasons with the playmaker, who has hit double figures in three consecutive seasons for Spurs, netting just five times in total and just once in the Premier League in the last two seasons. His last two league goals have been penalties and he has not scored from open play in the league since January 2020. “I think sometimes it’s support and sometimes it’s tough love,” Lampard said of how to revive Alli’s form. “Sometimes you have to listen to serious things to get the best out of yourself. Dele or any player he is. The Fiver: sign up and receive our daily football email. “If I didn’t know the player and I heard those numbers – 23 goals, 15 goals, then three goals and two goals, I would think: ‘We have to find a solution to this.’ There has to be something that can be physical or mental and I think it’s important that he has a support mechanism not just from me but from himself, the people around him, my staff and his teammates.”
