Lampard warned against Everton signing of Man Utd player, as alternative capture suggested by pundit
A former England international has explained why Everton should avoid moving for Anthony Elanga, with a different potential January signing named.
Elanga performed well under former Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick, as the coach had high hopes for him and gave decent game time. But the winger is struggling to have the same impact under Rangnick’s successor, Erik ten Hag.
He has made 17 appearances in all competitions, though few of these have been starts. Elanga is often used as an impact substitute in the last 10 or 20 minutes of games, but he is not exactly causing problems for defenders. Just one assist has come his way this term, while he is yet to register a goal.
On December 27, it was revealed Everton are ‘expressing an interest’ in signing Elanga. He is ‘growing frustrated’ at his bit-part role under Ten Hag.
The Swede was then told he is not ‘at the right level’ for a Man Utd attacker. This is an understandable assessment given the form of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho’s exciting development.
On January 3, Elanga’s prospective move to Everton took a big step forward. Toffees chiefs reportedly made contact with their Man Utd counterparts over a January move.
While Everton were initially considering a loan swoop, it was then suggested they could sign the 20-year-old permanently. Man Utd would want £18million to let him leave Old Trafford.
Amid the rumours of Elanga going to Everton, former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson has discussed the potential signing.
Everton urged to snub opportunity for Man Utd raid
He thinks Frank Lampard’s side should avoid the capture as Elanga does not bring more threat than Demarai Gray and Anthony Gordon. Instead, Robinson told Everton to prioritise landing a new striker to help Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
“I’m not so sure he [Elanga] is an upgrade on Demarai Gray or Anthony Gordon,” the pundit said during an interview with Football Insider.
“He has not really made it at United. He has amazing pace and has had good moments but he is a squad player for them.
“I’m not sure he’d make an immediate impact on that Everton team. That is what Everton need. They need someone who is going to score the goals to keep them up.
“I would be focused on signing a striker if I was them. I think they have enough in the wide areas to get to the end of the season.”
Robinson certainly raises some good points. If Everton are to spend £18m on Elanga, then this would lessen how much they can offer teams for a new striker.
In Gray and Gordon, Lampard already has two electric wingers. So he should leave those positions as they are and improve an area that really needs reinforcements.
Calvert-Lewin is a great striker, but he has been badly affected by injuries in the last year. And fellow centre-forward Neal Maupay has only scored once in an Everton shirt – showing just how bad Lampard’s problem is.
TEAMtalk understands Everton are rivalling Southampton and Crystal Palace for a Championship goal-getter. So perhaps a deal for him should be preferred to the Elanga chase.
