Frank Lampard flatly denies Dele Alli ‘short-term’ fix claim amid Everton summer sale rumours

Everton manager Frank Lampard is certain that he can eventually get the best out of Dele Alli, despite recent rumours that the Toffees are willing to sell the playmaker.

The attacking midfielder moved to Goodison Park on deadline day in January for a performance and appearance-based fee. However, he has so far made just 10 substitute appearances for Everton without scoring a single goal.

Lampard has pointed out some issues which have contributed to a severe lack of starts for the 26-year-old. But Alli made a big difference when he was brought on half-time of the come from behind 3-2 win over Crystal Palace which saw the Merseyside outfit maintain their Premier League status.

And Lampard is convinced that he can get the best out of Alli at Everton. However, it’s up to the player himself to replicate his 45-minute cameo against the Eagles in midweek.

“To be fair to Dele, in the last two or three weeks he has trained well,” said Lampard.

“I can see in his face he is disappointed sometimes that he is not playing. I am not silly to that.

“But I know his qualities, I saw them and that is why I brought him to the club. People will question why he has not had so much game time.

“There are reasons behind the scenes for that but when it came to the moment, it was a desperate moment for us at half-time and my feeling with Dele is that, because of the levels he has reached in his career so far, he can handle these situations in a game like this, because he has played in the Champions League, he has played for his country.

“Do you question it? Yes, because he hasn’t played regularly. That’s not easy for players. But can he deliver? He showed he can.

“The reality is when Dele came here, I never saw it as a short-term. It had to be a