da bet vitoria： Everton’s recent result at Fulham saw Conor Coady and James Tarkowski record yet another clean sheet, despite a decidedly toothless display up top.
da pinnacle： The ever-dependable stalwart only joined the club in the summer but has quickly established himself as one of the leaders of the group, having already been named captain despite having only featured 12 times for them.
Lauded as a “hugely-important” part of this Toffees resurgence by Frank Lampard, the news that he will reportedly be available for just £4.5m in the summer will be music to his ears.
To gain someone with such vast experience for such a cut-price deal either marks sensational business from Everton, or clueless business from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 29-year-old boasts 317 games for the Old Gold, as well as having become a mainstay in Gareth Southgate’s England plans too.
Although his career initially took him to Huddersfield Town after a failed spell at his boyhood club Liverpool, it was not until he was 25 that he played a significant part in the Premier League after one short cameo for the Reds in 2012.
His 2018/19 campaign with Wolves backed up a fine promotion bid the season prior, and the defender would feature in all 38 of their games as they cruised to a seventh-placed finish.
The hope will be that young Elijah Campbell can replicate his current colleague and force his way into Lampard’s first team, with the 18-year-old having yet to feature in the senior squad.
The 5 foot 10 centre-back has made numerous appearances for the U18s, and despite his age has already become a mainstay in Paul Taits U23s.
Already this season he has featured seven times in the Premier League 2, having won four of those matches too.
The somewhat diminutive defender might worry some fans with his lack of height often expected in his position, but the recent emergence of Lisandro Martinez for Manchester United stands as weekly proof that this is an inconsequential debate.
Coady himself only stands at 6 foot tall.
Campbell – who has caught the eye for his athleticism and comfort on the ball – has seemingly caught the eye of Tait, who now sees him as a vital cog in his side’s defence.
It is a testament to the faith the club have in him that they recently offered him a new long-term contract, to which Kevin Thelwell then claimed: “Elijah is a talented young player and we are delighted he has committed his future to Everton. He is a composed and athletic defender who is comfortable in possession.”
His versatility lends to his likelihood to succeed on Merseyside too, with an ability to perform just as well at left-back as in his natural centre-back spot.
Whilst Lampard is concerning himself with results on the pitch at the first team, the steady progress of Campbell will be something he will have in mind. Especially given that both of his starting defenders are 29 years old, and understandably will have an expiry date.
Perhaps now he could start getting them to bestow their wisdom upon the young starlet, fast-tracking him to the level of Coady.
Although it remains to be seen if the Manchester-born sensation – who now has three years left to run on his existing deal in the L4 – can force his way into the side in the coming years
To see how long it took the former Wolves ace to break through, he can take solace in the fact that an impressive career can still be attained without instant success.
Although, earning experience from him at such a young age will go a long way towards forcing Lampard’s hand.