St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - October 1, 2022. Everton's Conor Coady and Frank Lampard after the match.
Everton have been backed to complete the permanent signing of Conor Coady ‘now’ by former BBC pundit Noel Whelan.
The Lowdown: Permanent fee revealed
The centre-back joined the Toffees on a season-long loan from Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers over the summer, and has enjoyed an impressive start to life at Goodison Park.
The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath and John Percy recently revealed that Frank Lampard’s side will only have to cash out £4.5m to maintain his services beyond this campaign, and the Old Gold don’t have the option to recall the 29-year-old in January.
The Latest: Whelan’s message to Everton
Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan urged Everton to complete the deal for Coady and claimed that he could go on to become a key man on Merseyside in years to come. He said:
“It’s a no-brainer.
“If you’re going to trigger that, then do it now. He’s already proven his point.
“We can see how valuable he is already in that back line. Him and Tarkowski have grown a really good relationship and they’ve got two leaders there.
“They’re talking and organising.
“Coady has got international experience and quality, and that is nothing for someone who can be at the club for at least another three years.”
The Verdict: Absolute bargain
Everton signing Coady permanently is something that the club shouldn’t even have to think twice about considering the instant impact he’s made.
Before their match against Manchester United this evening, the England international was averaging 5.4 clearances per top-flight game and already has a goal and assist to his name in just seven starts (WhoScored).
Lampard has already asked the board to complete the deal, so it shouldn’t be too long before an official announcement is made.
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