Paul Merson gushes over one Everton star
The progress made by young Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been one of the most pleasing aspects of a rough season to date for the Toffees.
The 22-year-old has begun to deliver on his fantastic all-round game in front of goal this campaign, notching 12 goals in all competitions so far.
His improved form has made him undroppable for new manager Carlo Ancelotti, and it’s gained him plenty of admirers.
One of those is former England international Paul Merson, who has touted the youngster for a Three Lions call-up.
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin deserves to be in Gareth Southgate’s next England team,” he wrote in his column for the Daily Star.
“When you get in, you’ve got to take your opportunities. But this lad is moving up the pecking order. I think he’s changed his game. He’s not charging down the channels so much all the time any more. I thought he almost used to work too hard.
“It reminded me of Emile Heskey. A great team-mate to play with because he would work so hard for you, but when you lose the finger gets pointed at him because he hasn’t scored for ten games.
“Centre forwards need to score goals. He’s doing that now. Someone’s had a word with him and told him to play in the box more.
“He’s quick and strong and I think he’s quite intelligent as well. He makes good runs. He’s a real handful on his day and those days are coming more often now.”
Does Calvert-Lewin deserve a Three Lions opportunity?
Why not? Southgate’s options in the final third have dwindled dramatically of late, with Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and Tammy Abraham all enduring injury problems.
That’s opened the door for the likes of Calvert-Lewin and Southampton star Danny Ings, and both men should be called up for the next friendlies, to get a look at them if nothing else.
Calvert-Lewin has a terrific all-round game, but he’s improved massively as a goalscorer this term. Merson makes a good point that he was almost working too hard in the past, and it limited his opportunity to score goals.
Now he is doing the work of a more traditional centre forward, and it’s showing in his stats. He should certainly be under consideration for Southgate.
In other Everton news, a reliable journalist has claimed that the Toffees are in talks for a stunning double deal.