Frank Lampard replies to Richarlison’s Everton lack ambition claim

Everton boss Frank Lampard has dismissed claims by Richarlison that the Toffees lack ambition.

The Brazilian sealed a £60million move to Tottenham Hotspur in July which consists of an initial £50m with a further £10m in add-ons (Sky Sports).

Richarlison claimed in an interview with FourFourTwo last month that despite the close affinity he had build with the Merseysiders, their desire to win trophies and matches was not matching his expectations.

The striker is set to come up against his former side for the first time this evening when the pair meet at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with Spurs looking to close the gap on rivals Arsenal.

Lampard disagreed with any assumption that Everton lacked the appetite to succeed and went as far as offering his admiration for Richarlison and suggested that his opinion may have been misconstrued.

The Everton boss told the Daily Mail: ‘I love Richy, every club is relative, this club has spent a lot of money over the last five, six, seven years, so ambition can be measured in different ways.

‘The history of this club, the First Division titles we have won, the FA Cups we have won, all those things come into the conversation.

‘If you’re talking about the here and now, I’m certainly ambitious. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t. I’m trying to build something.

‘It’s clear to see Tottenham are in the Champions League and we’re not. In simple terms, that’s it.

‘I think that was probably his point and when you get asked, those things can be translated in different ways.

‘I think it’s a non-important question and answer, it’s done. We all wish Richy well. It’s a nice situation for a player to leave a good with a good feeling.

‘He left with dignity, he left with his head held high with his team-mates, myself, the fans, the club. He gave everything for this club.

‘The fans respected the work ethic and quality he brought here, his team-mates respected that. He moves on and we certainly move on.’

SpursWeb Opinion

Richarlison was a cult figure among the fans at Everton but has now gone from battling relegation to playing in the Champions League.

With Dejan Kulusevski still out with a hamstring issue and Lucas Moura only recently back, it is likely that he will start against his former employer, unless Conte reverts to a 3-5-2 again.

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