Everton youngster Calvert-Lewin praises Rooney impact
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has singled out Wayne Rooney for his positive impact on the young players in the Blues dressing room.
Rooney, who is both Manchester United’s and England’s record goal scorer, has been giving advice to the Everton youngsters as they work to try to establish themselves in the first-team.
Speaking on evertonfc.com, Calvert-Lewin has admitted that he was a little overawed when Rooney re-joined his boyhood club last summer.
Despite his super-star status, Rooney though has been a great support to the younger players since arriving. Calvert-Lewin said:
"“He has helped me, Jonjoe and Tom quite a lot.“To have him around with all his experience and everything he has been through in his career, as you are going through different experiences yourself, is a big help. He had played a lot more games by the time he was 21 than I have. As a young player, he is always a good man to turn to and ask for advice.”"
The youngster, who Everton signed from Sheffield United two years ago, has enjoyed something of a breakthrough season this campaign.
After scoring the winning goal in the summer as the England Under-20’s won the World Cup, he was a regular in the first-team during the first part of the season.
Despite the team’s struggles Calvert-Lewin produced some fine performances even though he was often being asked to carry the attack in the absence of a recognised senior striker.
Speaking about this he added:
"“I came into pre-season not really having played as a number nine and with a lot of confidence off the back of the World Cup.“I was looking forward to pre-season and then the season itself. I played a lot which I thoroughly enjoyed – and perhaps played more than I thought I would.“It is invaluable experience at my age and I am enjoying it.”"
And amidst all the woes Evertonians have had to endure in 2017-18 one positive has been the continuing development of his game.
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Although Calvert-Lewin has struggled to hold down a regular place since the turn of the year, he has scored eight goals and provided six assists so far this season, a fine return.
It’s not just Calvert-Lewin who has also made tangible progress this season. Jonjo Kenny, has made the step up as well and gives Everton increased depth at right-back.
While there is still some way to go it is encouraging to see these players make the step up and provide the Blues with additional options going forward.
Next: Who has a future at Everton next season?
Everton have a fine tradition of developing young players and let’s hope this can continue to pay dividends and perhaps also save the club some money in the absurdly inflated transfer market!