Elliott Cuff

Fri 19 February 2021 9:47, UK

Former Sheffield United midfielder Dean Hammond claims he “never would have predicted” how quickly Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin would have developed.

Hammond crossed paths with Calvert-Lewin at Bramall Lane during the 2015/16 season, where the former Brighton and Southampton man claimed to have been more impressed by current Saints forward Che Adams.

Calvert-Lewin joined Everton in the summer of 2016 for a fee of around £1.5million, where he would go on to score just once in his debut season in the Premier League.

However in recent times, the 23-year old has turned much more prolific, scoring 13 times in the Premier League last season, while he has also equalled that goal tally already in this current campaign.

Speaking to The Sheff United Way Podcast, Hammond claimed to have been left more impressed by Adams during his time as a Blades player, explaining that Calvert-Lewin’s development has surprised him. He said: “I always knew he [Calvert-Lewin] had talent and always knew he had a fantastic attitude. He was one of those players who was always doing extra training, was always in the gym. You thought; ‘OK, he’s got a real chance’.

“But I never would have predicted he would have progressed as quickly as he has. The standard that he’s setting at Everton, the way he’s playing has been unbelievable.

“He was a talent, but he was very raw and I always thought Che Adams was the one with the natural ability.”

Unprecedented progression

It’s fair to say that very few Everton supporters could have predicted just how quickly Calvert-Lewin would take to life under Carlo Ancelotti, but the forward has come on leaps and bounds in a very short space of time.

DCL was never a consistent starter under Marco Silva, which might go some way to in explaining why he only scored three goals last season under the Portuguese coach compared to the ten goals he scored under Duncan Ferguson and Ancelotti.

As a constant fixture in the Italian’s side Calvert-Lewin has improved remarkably, sharpening up his all-round game to become a lethal focal point in Everton’s attack.

You might not see fit to blame Hammond for seeing more talent in Che Adams though, particularly considering his 22-goal haul for Birmingham City in the Championship during the 2018/19 campaign.

Either way Calvert-Lewin has now broken past Adams, having become one of the most promising strikers in the Premier League.

Here’s hoping he keeps it up and propels the Blues back onto the continental stage.

In other Everton news, Carlo Ancelotti has explained why Allan was left out Everton’s game against Manchester City in the midweek.