Stephen Warnock has spoken about the worrying noises that there is ‘no money to spend’ for Frank Lampard on his Everton squad during the January transfer window.
The former Premier League left-back also questioned if Everton might have to sell one of their star players – Jordan Pickford, Anthony Gordon or Alex Iwobi – in order to generate money.
That’s what seemingly happened in the summer, when one of their top stars of the last few years, Richarlison, secured a big-money move to Tottenham.
Now, last season, the Toffees were in trouble and they survived relegation to the Championship by the skin of their teeth, with Richarlison playing a big part in that.
But he’s no longer here and this financial situation of Everton’s doesn’t seem to be resolved, with Warnock thinking these are very worrying times, as he told the Football Show on Sky Sports.
“There are two very big differences between Everton and Wolves,” said Warnock. “One is Frank Lampard doesn’t seem to have the finances to dip into the market, whereas the Wolves owners are very open in saying ‘we are going to bring in five or six’.
“They have done the Cunha deal already. But they also said, they expect to have two more signings in ready for the 1st of January, so they are pro-active again in the transfer market knowing they have trouble.
“If I was looking at both camps, I would think Wolves would be fine and they will finish above Everton, just judging it from that game because you feel Wolves are only going to get better.
“Whereas I look at Everton, if they want finances, the only way they get them is selling Pickford, Gordon or their best player at the moment, which is Iwobi – everything you hear coming out of the club is there is no money to spend in January.”
BACK OR SACK LAMPARD?
Prior to the World Cup break, Everton were beaten by Bournemouth – in the League Cup and then days later in the Premier League.
The scenes after the game, where a fan even threw Iwobi’s shirt back at him, were drowned out by the noise of the World Cup starting.
But upon domestic football’s return from Qatar, the same old issues are on Lampard’s doorstep because, this time, they were beaten by a last-minute winner to Wolves on Boxing Day.
The Merseyside giants simply can’t continue to sack managers, but there is only so much rope you can allow to let go in your quest to stay in the Premier League.
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