Many Everton fans have been sharing their thoughts on Dominic Calvert-Lewin recently, with some Toffees supporters still questioning whether or not the England Under 21 international has what it takes to lead the line next season.
Fans had a good chance to get a feeling of what the 22-year-old could offer us going forward when Marco Silva handed the Sheffield United product an extended run in the first-team, but the 6 ft 1 striker only scored two of his eight goals under the Portuguese in that time.
Getting shots underway was not an issue for Calvert-Lewin, even when he faced Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United. He just couldn’t get the ball over the line, even with six efforts on West Ham United’s net when we beat the Irons 2-0 in March.
But what allowed the Sheffield-born forward to remain in the starting XI last season was the lack of competition with Cenk Tosun rarely posing a threat and Oumar Niasse offloaded to Cardiff in the winter on loan.
If anyone is going to rival the £13.5million-rated attacker next term, then, it will likely have to be someone Director of Football Marcel Brands has bought to Goodison in the transfer window, but there hasn’t been much progress in that respect.
That’s why fans on the Grand Old Team forum have been sharing their thoughts, and concerns, over Calvert-Lewin leading the line again come August…
“A friend of mine today described him as having everything a modern striker needs except the ability to score goals. Not good enough, sadly. Would be a useful 4th choice.” – Radio Star (June 11, 01:45)
“As much improved as he is and he does do a lot of things well, he doesn’t have that striker’s instinct. He’ll do as a playmaker. I suppose just not with us.” – Blackwell Livermore (June 11, 02:55)
“I honestly cannot see anything special in him while others think he’s going to be amazing. Weird how people looking at exactly the same thing can have such different views.” – Tel001 (June 11, 03:56)
“Bottom line: he’s young/under a modest contract/works hard. Does he score enough? Not yet. Will he improve? Hope so/will be given the opportunity to. I don’t want him to be our first option, but he is currently our best option. Would be a great second striker/sub option if he improves. If not, we will sell at a profit. We have bigger problems than DCL.” – Ricer10 (June 11, 05:57)
“He lacks composure, that’s all. That comes with age and experience.” – Pabbers (June 11, 06:26)
“For me, he’s also lacking the sort of movement that marks out top goalscoring strikers. He doesn’t necessarily miss loads of chances, he’s just not that great at getting them to start with. That’s fine though, not all good strikers are great goalscorers. He’s a really good option for us at the moment I think. He needs to be more of a threat if he’s going to be our first choice, but as a squad option he’s as good as we’d get right now.” – JimmyK (June 11, 09:51)
“I still think he’ll make a decent striker, but he does need to get more goals, or at least threaten to do. A couple of his shots on target last season were literally embarrassing to watch.” – Nyhus (June 11, 10:24)
“I’m a fan of his and based on performances in the latter part of the season he deserves a place in the squad as much as anyone. He isn’t currently the answer to our striker problems, but he certainly hasn’t done himself any harm with his displays.” – Bungle (June 11, 10:28)
“440pages of people saying, “he’s young, he’s improving”, and other people going, “doesn’t score goals, not good enough”. Stuck on repeat.” – Howard’s beard (June 11, 10:32)