Could Everton consider selling Calvert-Lewin in January

The rumours continue that Everton centre-forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin may be leaving Goodison Park, possibly as early as the upcoming January window.

So, the question is should or will Everton consider selling the England centre-forward? And, is this something that manager Rafa Benitez is thinking about?

I would say first up that I don’t think either outcome is very likely and Benitez would have to be very brave to sanction such a deal given how brittle his relationship is with many Blues’ supporters with Calvert-Lewin a popular player.

However, the stories keep emerging that the 24-year-old may leave Goodison Park at some point soon, if not January then maybe in the summer.

Arsenal have been the club most strongly linked with a move for Calvert-Lewin and the rumour is being repeated by different media outlets that the North London club want to make such a deal happen.

I’ve previously written that the Toffees’ need to think about developing a more modern style of football if they are ever to compete at the upper end of the Premier League.

In particular Everton need to start trying to play a higher-tempo, pressing game rather than relying too much on a overly defensive, counter-attacking approach that is becoming more outdated.

The difference in attititude and footballing philosophy between the Blues’ and the top sides was starkly underlined by the defeats to Manchester City and especially Liverpool.

Our neighbours played a football with the sort of pace, movement and energy in the derby that the home side couldn’t match.

Obviously, I’m not suggesting Everton can start playing at that level with a few player additions and a little tactical tinkering, but long-term it is important to update their approach to the game and start playing a style of football with more consistent pace and energy.

While there are sound reasons for playing a more counter-attacking approach for the moment, considering injury problems and the lack of depth in the squad, we also saw what a more tactically fluid approach could deliver on Monday night against Arsenal.

The Toffees’ played with real determination and plenty of energy against the Gunners with Richarlison in particular having a superb match as a dynamic attacking focul point.

And, once Benitez had made the change of bringing on Andre Gomes which fully unleashed Abdoulaye Doucoure, the home team got well on top and looked even more like they believed they could win the match.

All this has relevance to Calvert-Lewin because he is a traditional type of centre-forward and is best suited to that more orthodox and counter-attacking game Everton have tended to play.

While as I say I don’t think he is considering letting DCL leave, as we all know Benitez has shown he is a very stubborn man and he will sometimes do things his way almost regardless of others opinions.

A clear example of that is the situation with Lucas Digne. Despite being fully fit the French international full-back was not just left out of the side that lined-up against Arsenal, but wasn’t even on the bench.

This was a big decision and it has led to some speculation that he may have fallen out with the manager over how Benitez wants him and the team to play.

None of this means that Digne will be leaving either as he’s a quality footballer even if he hasn’t shown his best in an Everton shirt for a long while.

And, even if he’s not suited to playing at left-back under Benitez he might actually be very good option to play as a wide midfielder or even more centrally and he can also fill in at centre-back.

Finally, there is the problem of money. Benitez may not have anything to spend in January and if that’s the case and he is forced to rely on loans that may hinder how much he can do to strengthen in that window.

In the end then he may be forced to think about selling one or two of his most attractive playing assets to generate the income he needs. Calvert-Lewin is certainly one of those and let’s be honest he’s also an increasingly injury-prone player. If a club like Arsenal came in with a huge bid then what would the club do?

Now that it appears as though transfer policy is going to be largely dictated by Benitez, we will see whether any of this does happen. One thing is for sure the speculation isn’t likely to stop.

What do you think should Everton sell Calvert-Lewin if big money is on the table?