Jean-Philippe Gbamin next Everton step clear after Frank Lampard admission

One of the great things about Frank Lampard is his straight-talking approach when asked a question about Everton.

But if you were Jean-Philippe Gbamin, you would not have perhaps enjoyed listening to his manager being so open and honest on Saturday evening.

Speaking in the immediate aftermath of his side’s 2-0 defeat to Southampton, the Blues boss was asked about next weekend's clash with Manchester City.

“Since I’ve been here at the club we’ve got injuries to big players. We’re missing Ben Godfrey today, missing (Abdoulaye) Doucoure, missing Demarai Gray, Fabian Delph,” Lampard replied to the question.

“I’ve missed anyone out? What I am saying is that they are big players for the club and sometimes your decisions are half made for you by the injuries in the squad.

“And the rest of them are made for you by things you want to select for the game. So we will have to see who is able and ready.

“Doucoure might be close to being fit for the game, and that will give me different midfield options, we weren’t good enough in midfield today. That’s the job for us in the week to get right.”

It was the kind of stark response Everton supporters have become accustomed to since Lampard replaced Rafa Benitez last month.

But it was also the type of response that leaves one wondering what the thoughts of Gbamin were after hearing his boss admit his midfield had not been good enough - but yet he wasn’t named as an option to come in.

Of course Lampard’s comments came just hours after the ECHO reported that the Ivory Coast international is the subject of interest from CSKA Moscow.

The ECHO understands that the Russian side are looking to take the 26-year-old on loan for the remainder of the 2021/22 campaign.

While the English transfer