Agbonlahor: Everton ace DCL will add ‘different dimension’ for England
Gabby Agbonlahor claims Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin would be in his England squad for the European Championships in the summer.
The 23-year-old scored on his England debut against Wales in October and has 11 so far in the Premier League this season.
Former Aston Villa man Agbonlahor named Calvert-Lewin, along with Harry Kane, Patrick Bamford and Ollie Watkins when talking to TalkSport.
“I’m taking Calvert-Lewin because he adds a different dimension up front. He can be that different player to Harry Kane,” said Agbonlahor.
“I’m taking Kane, of course. On current form I’m taking Watkins and Bamford. They’re probably ahead of the likes of Wilson and Abraham at the moment.”
A different dimension
Calvert-Lewin is undoubtedly having his best season yet in an Everton shirt.
The number nine has scored 11 goals in the Premier League and has seen 55.81% of his attempts on goal hit the target [WyScout].
This is the third-highest in the league and the best ranked amongst the English strikers. His four headed goals is also the most in the top-flight.
His form at the beginning of the season was nothing short of prolific. Deservedly he was given an England call up, scoring on his debut did him no harm either.
In comparison, England captain Harry Kane has scored twelve so far in the league and has provided the most assists with ten.
Despite his impressive goals tally, Calvert-Lewin is yet to provide a single assist for his teammates in any competition.
As Agbonlahor stated, he brings a different dimension to Kane. The Spurs striker has been dropping a lot deeper this season, being involved more in the build-up to goals.
Calvert-Lewin is an out and out number nine, the spearhead of the attack who’s job is to press from the front and score.
This season, he’s made 33 interceptions and 42 recoveries, 73.8% of those coming in the opposition half. Gareth Southgate will be aware of that and not alarmed by his lack assists.
Ollie Watkins was another mentioned by Agbonlahor. He moved to Aston Villa in the summer from Brentford and looks at home in the top-flight.
The 25-year-old has scored eight so far this season and assisted one. Of his 51 attempts on goal 45.1% have found the target.
He’s level with Harry Kane for headed attempts on goals with 15. Both of which are five behind the leader in that department, Bamford.
The dark horse, it has to be said, is Leeds’ number nine. He scored his eleventh goal of the campaign against Leicester to go level with Calvert-Lewin.
Overall, Bamford’s four assists take him to 15 goal involvements compared to that of Calvert-Lewin’s 11. He assisted twice at the weekend to help Leeds win 3-1.
Bamford has never been capped by England, and will have his work cut out for him if he is to make the squad.
He’s certainly going the right way about it though, definitely giving Southgate options to consider.
In other Everton news, these two men are back for the clash with Leeds tonight.