'Lampard messed it up' - Club chief makes huge Dele Alli transfer claim following Tottenham exit

The new Frank Lampard era is already taking up some shape ahead of his managerial debut in the Toffees dugout this weekend in the FA Cup against Brentford.

Farhad Moshiri and Bill Kenwright have slightly appeased the frustrated and disgruntled Everton fan base with appointing their Rafa Benitez successor coupled with the late signings made on deadline day in the January transfer window.

Alongside Lampard's arrival, Chelsea duo Joe Edwards and Ashley Cole joined the new foundation of Everton coaching staff that sees Duncan Ferguson remain despite conflicting reports.

On the playing side of things, the Merseysiders arguably had the best deadline day with their captures of Spurs' long-term servant Alli and Man United's Donny Van de Beek on a permanent and loan deal respectively.

Speaking at his press conference on Thursday afternoon, the Chelsea icon outlined what he wants to see from his new crop of players who are low on confidence following a demoralising streak of form at the club.

He said: "First day feels like about three weeks ago now! It's been busy. We're here to lead the group but also serve them. To improve them every day and play a brand of football but most of all to improve results.

"With both Dele and Donny, they are both very separate cases. I just look at the player and look at the person.

"I had conversations with both - they are both very talented players. They are players that I have gone up against in very different ways in the past and was very impressed with them.

"And sometimes it's good to get a player who has a point to prove in a certain way because they come here with a hunger, a good hunger to show themselves.

"So in both their own separate ways, I trust in their talent, I trust in them as