Everton boss Frank Lampard shares his verdict on Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s return
Everton boss Frank Lampard has shared his verdict on Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s return to action on Sunday evening against Manchester United.
It was the first time the forward had been involved in a matchup for the Blues since he scored a dramatic winner against Crystal Palace in the club’s relegation survival last season.
Calvert-Lewin was involved in the final moments of Sunday’s game and Lampard admitted he’s keen to ignore the “noise” surrounding the striker’s return.
“The noise is not so important. The noise when he comes on and lifts the crowd is a good thing and you see what he can bring to us in the longer term but we have to have a longer view on it, and we are there now,” he said, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
“He got on the pitch today so it’s another week for him to work and go into the next game coming up. It is important we do that in the right manner and get him match-fit because in the Premier League you have to be match-fit. He has to get to that level where he is going to really affect games.”
Lampard right.
Lampard is right on this one, Calvert-Lewin will need time to get back to the level needed to compete with the best week in, week out in the Premier League.
He’ll be a welcomed addition to the Toffees’ new and improved setup and will be a useful weapon in their squad as they look to move up the Premier League table.
With the forward’s messy injury record, it’s the right thing for Lampard to do to take his time with him, he’ll want to avoid him picking up a needless injury.
Whether or not the forward’s return means the Blues won’t make a move for another striker in January or the summer remains to seen.
But Calvert-Lewin’s performances over the coming months will undoubtedly influence any decision made on the matter by the Everton Hierarchy.
Hopefully, the forward can get a good string of games under his belt, his goals and contributions up top have been sorely missed.