Frank Lampard says Conor Coady is having a 'huge effect' on his Everton team.
The England centre-back has slotted into Lampard's back-four since arriving from Wolves, where he played predominantly in a back-three.
Speaking after Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Leeds United, Lampard was confident in Coady's versatility at the back.
"Absolutely [he proved he's more than capable of playing in a back four]," Lampard said of Coady.
"Conor is a top player. People probably say [about him only playing in a back three] casually, maybe lazily, because he played in a really good back three and was very, very good in it for a long time at Wolves.
"He's played in a back four for England. What reason can he not play in a back four? Conor is a player of the level where he has a huge effect on the team in all senses. He just played very well and it was good to see."
Asked about the importance of having characters like Coady and James Tarkowski on tough nights, Lampard added: "Massive. They're massive because you need leaders, you need voices, you need people who can bring the messages from the daily meetings out on the pitch.
"They're brilliant in the dressing room and they affect others. It's a really important trait when you bring in players and they bring that."
