Former Chelsea midfielder and manager Frank Lampard could have a big say on who finishes in the final Champions League spot come the end of the Premier League season.
The ex-England international looks to be named the new Everton manager, according to reports, with the Toffees currently in the process of finding a successor to Rafa Benitez at Goodison Park.
The Spaniard was relieved of his duties at the club after a dismal few months in charge, with the side falling to 16th in the league and just four points from the relegation zones.
It wasn’t much easier for the club off the pitch either, with protests and banners aimed at the board and their unhappiness with Benitez, who famously managed Liverpool to a Champions League victory.
But now, with Lampard reportedly set to take charge at Goodison Park as their new manager, there could be a change of fortune in the blue half of Merseyside.
In his time as a manager so far, the 43-year-old has guided Derby County to a play-off final as well as his Chelsea side to fourth, all with a transfer ban at Stamford Bridge and bringing through the youth at the same time.
With the second half of the season underway, the Toffees still have games against Arsenal, Spurs, Manchester United and West Ham left to play.
Should Lampard come in and manage to take some points off of the sides pushing for fourth, it may open up a huge opportunity for Arsenal or Spurs to take fourth place and that elusive final Champions League spot.
That’s not to say it will be easy when they face Everton themselves, with the two North London clubs only managing to take one point between them from the Merseyside outfit so far this season.
That is without mentioning the potential importance of Arsenal’s head-to-head. Mikel Arteta has managed to rebuild his squad over the summer from one that missed out on Europe, to one that is challenging for top four.
However, the Spaniard may have to show the nerve and leadership to see the task out should he guide his side to contention come the final game, because their final game is in fact the Toffees.
Whatever happens come the end of the season, it’ll be down to more than just one game, but rather the season as a whole.
However, the potential impact of Lampard as Everton manager could help one of Arsenal or Spurs reach fourth, or equally stop them from doing so.
