Everton boss Frank Lampard has seven undroppable players such as Dwight McNeil ahead of hosting his former team Chelsea on the opening day of the new Premier League season.
The Blues travel to Goodison Park to face the Toffees on Saturday, August 6, keen to avoid successive defeats. Lampard oversaw a 1-0 win over the Stamford Bridge natives in May as he led the Merseyside outfit to top-flight survival after replacing Rafa Benitez this January.
- Crystal Palace’s 22/23 XI with £20M West Ham target leading 4 new signings
- Jude Bellingham and Celtic ace lead Birmingham XI if they ket their top stars
Richarlison scored the only goal of the game in the 47th minute for one of his 10 strikes for the season in 30 outings. The 25-year-old ended the Premier League term as Everton’s top-scorer, but has since left Goodison for Tottenham Hotspur in a £50m, rising to £60m, deal.
Lampard has now moved to replace Richarlison through Everton signing McNeil off Burnley for £20m, plus add-ons. The winger is the Toffees’ third transfer of the summer so far after free agent James Tarkowski while hiring Ruben Vinagre on loan with a £17m option to buy.
Dwight McNeil now among Frank Lampard’s Everton undroppables against Chelsea
McNeil is now among Lampard’s undroppable players ahead of Everton hosting Chelsea on the opening day of the season. He has enjoyed a strong start to his Toffees career with two goals and a surging presence on debut during the club’s final friendly against Dynamo Kyiv.
The forward’s performance will have propelled his name atop the list for wide positions at Goodison. McNeil’s new Everton teammates and large parts of the fans in attendance also took to the summer arrival instantly, who will want to uphold his momentum on Saturday.
Lampard will acknowledge the importance of momentum heading into hosting Chelsea at the weekend. McNeil will also be eager to enjoy a bright start to his Everton adventure, as the 22-year-old strives to move on from relegation at Burnley with zero goals in 38 games.
But while McNeil is among Lampard’s Everton undroppables against Chelsea, there are still a handful of spots up for grabs. Goalkeeper is not one with Jordan Pickford set to keep the gloves after the England No.1 recorded seven clean sheets in 35 league games last season.
Tarkowski and Ben Godfrey will also expect to start the season opener as two of Lampard’s three central defenders. The third spot, however, could be available for Michael Keane to snatch after Yerry Mina sat out the Dynamo Kyiv encounter after sustaining a minor injury.
Frank Lampard faces full-back dilemma with no Everton undroppables vs Chelsea
Both of Lampard’s wider defensive slots are also up for grabs, with right-back and captain Seamus Coleman recovering from an injury. Vinagre’s arrival on loan from Sporting Lisbon also puts Vitaliy Mykolenko starting in doubt, with both impressing against Dynamo Kyiv.
Nathan Patterson has featured prominently in place of Coleman as he returns from ankle surgery. The £16m January transfer from Rangers has stepped in with a handful of assists in pre-season, having provided a constant, vibrant threat and an outlet on the right-flank.
Lampard will also be in a slight muddle over his midfield with Abdoulaye Doucoure likely to be Everton’s only undroppable against Chelsea. Alex Iwobi stepped into a central position against Dynamo Kyiv with Tom Davies and Andre Gomes on the sidelines through injuries.
Allan also only made the bench as he returns from an issue that has frustrated his summer schedule. If the Brazilian is fit, Lampard will rely on him to partner Doucoure, with Iwobi on standby after an energetic outing in the engine room and some intelligent play on the ball.
Everton attack picks itself with Dwight McNeil stepping into Richarlison void
Everton’s attack arguably picks itself ahead of hosting Chelsea with McNeil now among an undroppable clutch of players. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the Toffees’ best option at centre-forward over Salomon Rondon, and will be desperate to forget his troubled 2021/22 term.
Injuries decimated Calvert-Lewin’s campaign last season, with the 25-year-old only playing 17 Premier League games. But the England international ended the term strongly with two goals and an assist in his final three fixtures, and will be vital to the Toffees’ ‘22/23 efforts.
Anthony Gordon should also get the nod on the opposing flank to McNeil against Chelsea after Everton fended off fierce interest in the forward. Chronicle Live note that the Toffees rejected a ‘big offer’ from Tottenham and also rebuffed an approach by Newcastle United.
Gordon was one of the Toffees’ leading lights as they fought to avoid relegation last term with four goals and two assists over 35 games. But Demarai Gray will push to start ahead of the 21-year-old against Chelsea having, at times, looked a shade short during pre-season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
