Everton manager Frank Lampard expects Dominic Calvert-Lewin to stay despite transfer interest
Frank Lampard is planning for the new season with the expectation that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be at Everton, the Telegraph reports.
The Toffees have already lost the other big-name forward from the squad with Richarlison’s £50million-plus sale to Tottenham, and Newcastle are apparently not put off by a £60million price-tag to take the Englishman as well [Mirror].
Added to that the Magpies also joining Spurs in attempting to buy Anthony Gordon, the attacking star in waiting, during this window and the manager would be looking at a big hole in his offensive output to fill, with Armando Broja a target.
Calvert-Lewin, 25, endured a horrible season with injury and form but scored the dramatic winner that ultimately preserved Premier League status, and wants to be back to his best ahead of the World Cup, so would be a significant boost to the squad.
The Telegraph report says: “On the plus side, Lampard is planning for the new campaign in the expectation England striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin will remain at Goodison Park.”
It adds: “A full pre-season for Calvert-Lewin – Everton’s players returned to work on Monday – will add another dimension to Lampard’s front line.”
Key
While the players at his disposal were not good enough as a whole during 2021/22 there are certain key elements that need to be built around.
Money coming in is particularly necessary at the moment, hence the need to sell Richarlison, but even a strong transfer budget will become increasingly less useful as the new season approaches.
If Calvert-Lewin can stay injury-free and get back to the level that saw him score 21 times in all competitions in the season before last then it would be incredibly beneficial for the team’s overall fortunes.
The England international has suffered from the decreasing creativity in the Everton team over the last year so his fortunes going forward may depend on who Lampard can bring in to provide service.
There is surely more chance of a strong preseason and some useful additions getting Calvert-Lewin back up to speed than selling him, finding a replacement for two stars, successfully signing them, and then bedding them in.
So the indiction that the former Sheffield United striker will remain has to be good news for the club at this stage.