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Calvert-Lewin’s latest injury confounds Everton plans

By Matt Townsend

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JULY 29: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton controls the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Everton and Dynamo Kyiv at Goodison Park on July 29, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JULY 29: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton controls the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Everton and Dynamo Kyiv at Goodison Park on July 29, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /
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With just three days to go before Everton open their 2022-23 Premier League campaign at home to Chelsea, it appears Dominic Calvert-Lewin has picked up an injury meaning he is out for Saturday’s game.

Calvert-Lewin’s injury problems have been a constant source of frustration for Everton over the last year or so and it’s really irritating that he is once again struggling with his fitness.

Without Richarlison of course, the Blues’ will be more reliant on his goals than ever before and this news is the last thing that Frank Lampard needs as he prepares for such a testing opening day fixture against his former club.

It also further complicates the club’s transfer moves meaning that quickly signing an additional forward who can offer a genuine goal threat becomes even more critical.

The Toffees’ have hopefully added more attacking creativity with Ruben Vinagre and Dwight McNeil but they still haven’t addressed the problem of who will score goals if Calvert-Lewin is absent again. Given his recent problems that always seemed like a very likely outcome.

Reports claimed Everton were keen on sorting out a deal for Michy Batshuayi but then recently stories have emerged that the club aren’t in fact now pursuing the Chelsea striker after all.

One other foward who could provide those goals is Maxwel Cornet, but it appears as though West Ham are in the driving seat to sign him.

Rumours also continue to circulate that the Blues’ are still interested in Emmanuel Dennis, although it’s not clear how strong that interest really is given conflicting reports over the summer.

The Watford man appears to be a good fit and a potentially solid replacement for Richarlison so perhaps things will move forward in the next few days, especially as the Hornets appear ready to consider a lower fee for him.

There has been a sense of confusion and uncertainty about Everton’s transfer strategy with a perception of a lack of clarity at times right from the beginning of the summer and this news about Calvert-Lewin throws another spanner in the works.

It is a priority for Everton to get another forward in soon because going into such a demanding season with a physically brittle and injury-prone striker and a reserve in Salomon Rondon who offers very little in terms of a goal threat, just won’t be enough.