Calvert-Lewin needs to be focused for Everton next season

Everton centre-forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been speaking about his injury-plagued campaign last season and how he dealt with his long absences from the team.

The long absence of the England international was a significant reason why Everton struggled, as his goal contributions were missed with no one else really able to fill in until Richarlison scored a few goals late on.

It was a one of a succession of injury problems that had a huge impact on the season’s outcome and contributed to the Toffees’ very nearly going down last season.

Calvert-Lewin is a player who seems to divide Evertonians. Some supporters think he is the real deal as a centre-forward who can lead the line and potentially net twenty-five plus goals in a season, providing he is able to stay healthy.

Others perhaps remain to be convinced that Calvert-Lewin can actually become that franchise-type player who the manager can build his attack around for the next five years or so. His goal-return has often been patchy and he is often guilty ogfmissing too many good chances.

Personally, I’m not sure whether DCL is the sort of player who can achieve that level, and as I’ve previously said of the two forwards, him and Richarlison, I would rather keep the Brazilian. But, he looks very likely to leave this summer.

So, if Calvert-Lewin is still an Everton player when the new season kicks off he has to start delivering on that promise and soon.

When he first broke into the Blues’ side it was obvious he had the physical tools to potentially be a Premier League footballer.

His size, strength, pace, ability in the air and to hold the ball up, make him in many ways very like a classic number nine in the mold of some of the best and most iconic players Everton have had.

From the legendary Dixie Dean through Tommy Lawton, Bob Latchford, Graeme Sharp and finally Duncan Ferguson, these types of traditional centre-forward have often been key to past success.

Can Calvert-Lewin join this select group of strikers who have etched their names in the club’s long history? That’s still very much an open question.

Apart from his injuries, which are a significant concern for a still young footballer, I think that perhaps Calvert-Lewin has also been guilty of allowing off-field activities to divert too much of his attention and focus, as sometimes happens with modern players.

He’s becoming something of a fashion icon off the pitch, but maybe he needs to spend less time in photoshoots and more practicising on his shooting in training!

Because, if Frank Lampard does decide to continue to build his strikeforces around the Yorkshire-born forward, he will have to really deliver and show he can turn what still feels more like potential into solid outcomes, and obviously that primarily means goals.

And, like other young players who have come through the youth system at Goodison Park, Calvert-Lewin might have a huge opportunity to contribute importantly to Everton’s campaign next season given the financial constraints the club are operating under.