Everton boss Frank Lampard will be concerned at the recent availability of former boss Roberto Martinez after his departure from the Belgium National Team, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.
The Lowdown: Danger zone
For a second consecutive season, Everton find themselves between a rock and a hard place.
As we venture ever closer to the recommencement of the season, the Toffees sit just one point above the relegation zone, with visible issues within the squad.
Whilst Everton have been a solid defensive outfit this season, they have failed to assert themselves in an attacking sense.
Lampard’s ideology of playing counter-attacking football was a sound plan considering their frail structure, but ultimately this has been too predictable and has led to the side ranking as the second-worst scoring team in the league this season, having bagged just 11 goals.
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For context, Harry Kane has scored 12 goals on his own for Spurs in the league this term.
Whilst chance creation has not really been a concern for the side, their lack of shots per match is, having managed an average of just 3.5 shots on target per 90 - another stat that sees them ranked within the bottom three teams.
The Latest: Martinez available
Journalist O’Rourke believes that Martinez’s fresh availability could turn out to be a problem for Lampard, who has seen his side struggle this season.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT on Lampard’s position at the Toffees’ helm, O’Rourke said:
“A lot will depend on what happens straight after this World Cup break. If Everton get off to a slow start and are struggling for form, it’s going to increase the pressure on Frank Lampard.
“It’s never great when you have a manager out of work, lingering over your shoulder, and that will be the concern for Frank right now – Martinez is available.”
The Verdict: Unlikely?
Whilst Martinez will surely be looking at returning to the club football scene, you would expect him to bide his time and hold out for a switch to a club who are competing for European football at the very minimum.
This, though, will surely be after he has taken a step back, having just concluded a six-year spell in charge of Belgium.
Martinez of course has an understanding of what it’s like to manage Everton, having been at the helm for three seasons. But if Lampard were to be sacked, it will be because of the Toffees’ lowly-ranked position in the league table, and it is hard to imagine Martinez leaping back into club football to take part in a fierce relegation scrap.
Despite underachieving with Belgium’s golden generation on the national stage, Martinez’s reputation will be a lot higher than when he departed Everton, so it makes sense for him to hold out for a club in a more prosperous position.