Everton have ‘massive signing’ before any January deals – Benitez
Everton manager Rafael Benitez says the imminent return from injury of star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is like a new signing.
The 24-year-old has been on the sidelines since the Toffee’s 2-0 win at Brighton in August but he is close to a return to action.
Benitez needs the England international back and firing with further knocks to Richarlison and Demarai Gray threatening Everton with relegation having slipped to 15th in the Premier League.
“I can say that it’s a massive signing for us for the second part of the league,” he said, as quoted in the Express.
“He knows he is an important player. I’m not expecting him to score three goals every game and win the games on his own.
“I’m expecting him to give everything and be an important player because the others know that he can score goals, he can help the team.
“It’s just more about how important he is for the team, not that he has to make the difference on his own.”
A missed presence
Standing at six foot four inches, Calvert-Lewin is a daunting prospect for any defender to come up against.
Couple that height with a huge leap and the ability to run all day, the Everton man is one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League.
So for Everton to go without such a presence for such a big portion of the season has been a major blow to their campaign and it’s no surprise to see them languishing just above the drop.
The club’s goalscoring record is far from the worst in the league though; 21 goals in 17 games won’t break any records but it’s far better than the rest of their relegation rivals.
But there is a belief that a striker of Calvert-Lewin’s calibre would put away more of the chances created than any of the alternatives have so far.
In other Everton news, this Sky sports pundit is baffled with Benitez’s decision over Toffees star.