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Frank Lampard full of praise for Everton youngster Isaac Price in Celtic draw
Frank Lampard was full of praise for Everton youngster Isaac Price after the 19-year-old’s performance against Celtic in the Sydney Super Cup.
The Toffees drew 0-0 to The Hoops but managed to win on penalties and Price featured from the outset for Lampard’s side.
The 44-year-old felt the midfielder was the “best player on the pitch” against Ange Postecoglou’s men and insisted he would’ve started, regardless of Tom Davies’ injury.
“I would’ve played Isaac, anyway, because he has trained really well in recent weeks and he is playing well. With Tom out, that meant we had to go to a back three today as we didn’t have any other midfield players,” said Lampard (Everton’s official website, 20 November).
“Obviously, we have players at the World Cup and Alex [Iwobi] is with his national team so we are okay once we get everybody back and fit, to a degree, but I suppose it gives an opportunity to Isaac Price who was the best player on the pitch.”
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That’s some big praise from Lampard to Price, particularly with the former Chelsea legend playing a similar role to the 19-year-old. It’s now up to the youngster to build on his performance in Australia and try and get some first-team minutes in the Premier League or FA Cup.
Younger players should be given a chance at Goodison Park in the coming years with Kevin Thelwell now in the sporting director role at the club. Thelwell was instrumental in turning Wolves’ academy into one of the best in the country. It’s now clear more youth products will be trusted in the first team.
Anthony Gordon is an excellent example of how Everton’s academy can prove to be an excellent supply chain for the Toffees. However, if players aren’t given first-team chances, they could look elsewhere for first-team opportunities.
Competitions like the Sydney Super Cup are a golden chance for Lampard and it’s good to see the Everton boss utilise all of his squad.
In other Everton news, Lewis Dobbin sends reminder with ‘outrageous’ FA Cup strike