For the past few seasons, Everton’s young striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has struggled to overcome the doubters at the Merseyside club. Many believed he was not good enough to be the focal point of the Toffees attack. However, those doubters’ number a few less now, as the 22-year-old has suddenly found the goals to go with the endeavour.
A massive improvement this season
It is easy to forget that Calvert-Lewin is just 22. The Yorkshire-born forward has always looked like he had all the attributes to become a top forward in the future. He is quick, intelligent and technically gifted and has now added that valuable striker’s commodity to his game, goals.
This season Calvert-Lewin has scored 13 times in 26 Premier League matches. His ratio is one that a lot of forwards strive for when setting a goal target, a goal every other game.
The forward has scored five times in his last six leagues appearances. Some would say it should be six after his disallowed goal against Manchester United last time out. Everton fans could not ask much more from the young striker, who is after all still learning the game.
Not only has his finishing improved, but the forward’s all-around game has also improved massively. His touch and know-how are improving with every game seemingly. Since the departure of head coach Marco Silva in December, the youngster has been working more closely with Everton icon Duncan Ferguson. The work seems to have paid off.
Good form has led to calls for an international call-up
On Sunday, England head coach Gareth Southgate was at Everton’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Goodison Park to see Calvert-Lewin find the net. Ironically, it was probably not the youngsters best all-around display of late, yet he could have finished the game with a brace.
England boss Southgate will have noted the efforts of Calvert-Lewin, whose good recent form is hard to ignore at the moment. With first-choice striker Harry Kane still sidelined through injury it gives strikers the chance to impress in friendly games against Italy and Denmark at the end of the month.
It would not be a major surprise to see Calvert-Lewin in the next England squad. He certainly offers Southgate another viable attacking option.
Calvert-Lewin has already experienced success at under-20 level, winning the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea. The youngster scored the winning goal in the final.
Everton still hoping for a European spot
Despite a poor start to their campaign, Everton still has a chance of earning European football next season. Due to the congested nature of the table, the Toffees are just five points off fifth-place Manchester United.
The Merseysider’s are currently odds of 14/1 for a top-six finish in the Premier League. Matches against Chelsea away and Liverpool at home are difficult fixtures which could derail their hopes of achieving a top-six or even top seven finish.
Whatever happens for the rest of the season, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s development has been a major positive in a season of very few ups for Everton and their suffering fans.
It is debatable if Toffees fans will want their young forward playing for the national team, as they will want him to avoid injury. However, for the player, a call-up to the England senior team will validate his progress this season.
Should Dominic Calvert-Lewin be in the next England squad?
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