Everton will face arch-rivals Liverpool on Monday night and ahead of the game, Sean Dyche is sweating over the fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The new Everton boss might have to decide if Neal Maupay must start over Calvert-Lewin, should the Englishman be unfit to start.
Everton have struggled massively in front of the goal. Confidence has been sucked out of Calvert-Lewin’s displays as he continues to battle injuries and niggles. He has just netted one goal in 11 Premier League games as he runs low on confidence and extremely low on match fitness.
When Dyche took over the reins at Goodison Park, he was aware of Calvert-Lewin’s fragile condition and he highlighted that getting the striker fit and running is going to be key. The player started the game against Arsenal, leading the attack in a 4-4-1-1 formation. Calvert-Lewin did not get a goal but it was a gritty performance from the 25 year old.
He was taken off in the 62nd minute which was later revealed by Dyche as a precaution as the Englishman has been battling a hamstring issue. Calvert-Lewin was expected to undergo a routine scan to understand the situation better but this has raised concerns over his inclusion in the Merseyside derby.
Dyche could start Neal Maupay if Dominic Calvert-Lewin is unfit for Liverpool derby
In case Calvert-Lewin is not fit to start against Liverpool, Dyche could be forced to consider Maupay or Ellis Simms in the starter’s role. Maupay has received a lot of flak for his underwhelming performances but the former Brighton man was decent in his cameo against Arsenal.
Maupay was signed for £15 million in the summer to provide goalscoring support to Calvert-Lewin and step up when the Englishman was unavailable. Maupay has not adapted to life well in Merseyside and he has been far from impressive in front of the goal. If Calvert-Lewin is unavailable, there’s a striker conundrum that Dyche must find an answer for.
Simms could also be a good shout to start given his eye-catching first half of the season at Sunderland. The 22 year old has shown promise during his loan spell with the Black Cats, netting seven goals in 17 Championship games. Dyche blocked Simms’ loan exit in January as the Toffees failed to sign a forward. Perhaps, in situations like these, Simms becomes a reliable option.
Even if Calvert-Lewin is fit for the Liverpool game, Maupay and Simms will be much more involved in the remainder of the season.
Should Dyche start Neal Maupay if Dominic Calvert-Lewin is unfit to start?