Anwar El Ghazi is confident the Everton squad has enough talent for boss Frank Lampard to avoid the Goodison Park outfit suffering Premier League relegation, via the Express & Star.
El Ghazi joined the Blues on loan from Aston Villa with an option to buy the winger during January. His arrival was one of Rafa Benitez’s final acts in charge of the Merseyside natives. But the Dutchman is yet to kick on and establish himself with just two appearances so far.
Lampard awarded the 26-year-old his debut off the bench in the Blues’ 3-0 win over Leeds United. He again introduced El Ghazi late in the second-half at home to Manchester City on Saturday. But the two-cap attacker did not make an impact with his brief time on the field.
A controversial defeat to Pep Guardiola’s side has left the Toffees 17th in the table after 24 games. They sit a point above Burnley and the drop zone, but can move five-points clear if they win both games in hand over Leeds. The Whites are a point better off after 26 games.
Everton have not fallen out of the top-flight of English football since securing their return in the 1953/54 season. They ended the term second to Leicester City only on goal difference. The Blues had spent three seasons in the second-tier after dropping a division after ‘50/51.
El Ghazi confident Everton will avoid PL relegation despite ‘poor run’
A first relegation in 71-years will be terrible if Lampard does not address Everton’s issues in time. They have so far won just one of four games under the England legend, after Benitez ended his six-and-a-half-month tenure with a run of one win in 13 Premier League fixtures.
Relegation does not concern El Ghazi too much, however, as the loanee feels Lampard has enough in his Everton ranks. Instead, the Blues are just enduring a tough adaption process.
“Although Everton are having a poor run, they are still a big club in England and I know for sure we will not be relegated,” El Ghazi said. “I know what hard work implies. When we were promoted to the Premier League with Aston Villa, we also had some tough times.
“I know what it takes to succeed and I relish the challenge. We have a good squad and I want to play my part in bringing the club to the place in the table where it belongs.”
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