Many Everton fans on the Grand Old Team forum have been debating whether or not Dominic Calvert-Lewin has what it takes to be Marco Silva’s main striker.
The £13.5million-rated centre-forward’s skills have been thrust into the spotlight on more than one occasion this season, but it is currently doing the rounds as the 22-year-old went a fifth game without a goal when we hit Manchester United for four.
Calvert-Lewin also struggles to make chances for himself, with only our match with West Ham seeing the Sheffield United product take more than three shots – our game at the London Stadium was, in fact, the only time he took more than three efforts on goal in a Premier League encounter all season.
What tends to work in the England U21 international’s favour is his ability in the air, but despite winning five or more aerial duels on 13 occasions, he has jostled in the air 240 times (winning 103).
Being our current designated striker, his clear lack of goals has been one of the main talking points, as Cenk Tosun has two in the league from 23 appearances this term, while Oumar Niasse struck nine in 39 either side of his loans to Hull City and Cardiff.
If Calvert-Lewin is to save Marcel Brands some of our summer budget, then, he must improve his record in front of goal, or at least start to assist more, with ten to his name from 91 Everton games.
Here’s a round-up of the latest views from the Grand Old Team forum…
“I personally am excited by his big development and improvement during an established run in the first-team. It’s very encouraging for next season and beyond. I keep saying it, but Dom could save us a fortune in the transfer market if he keeps this up, we’d only need one not two strikers.” – BernieH (April 24, 07:20)
“DCL is coming on leaps and bounds…. I don’t think I’ve seen a player progress so quickly. Always been a true gifted athlete but his footballing brain and technique is getting better all the time. An England call up beckons and those goals will come.” – Pedro1976 (April 24, 07:28)
“He’s our best option atm, which isn’t saying a huge amount, but he’s a good foil for our actual goal threats who I imagine love playing with him. He can hold the ball up, has pace and desire and is good in the air, we seem to be carrying a more sustained threat in the opponent’s half, and attacks aren’t breaking down as often.” – Prevenger17 (April 24, 07:39)
“According to Gus Poyet, when DCL starts to score more he will be off after one season and everyone in football apparently knows this! At least Poyet has the decency to actually look like a muppet.” – JohnJq (April 24, 08:24)
“If DCL COULD finish he’d be a good striker. You can’t just ignore Lukaku’s goals and finishing to make out he’s rubbish. He’s alerting game isn’t up to a top striker’s standard, but his finishing is top notch and that’s what I prefer on my main striker.” – Tel001 (April 24, 08:44)
“DCL does need to improve his shooting accuracy currently at 35% whereas top strikers are more like 45%. I think the real thing for him to work on right now is the number of shots he has, roughly 1 per game. More shots = more practice=more goals=more confidence=more accuracy. Just for the record, Richarlison accuracy is 34% and I don’t hear the same criticism of him, because he’s had more shots and therefore scored more goals!” – Malcson (April 24, 09:13)
“His movement in and around the box needs a lot of work. Fingers crossed that can be improved upon.” – Buskwhi2 (April 24, 11:00)
“’He’s fit, strong, can jump high’ never hear about him being. Clever, technical, lethal etc. it’s all about him being an athlete that’s his strength he has the body of a Prem player, a very good one if that’s all that’s required. He’s amongst the fastest, fittest and can probably jump the highest in the league, but he lacks quality on the ball, composure, decision making, timing, and weight of pass and for all his pace he runs in straight lines with the ball and can’t change direction or actually beat a man when in possession.” – Tel001 (April 24, 15:00)