Rio Ferdinand: £70million Manchester United target Dominic Calvert-Lewin vanished at Everton
Rio Ferdinand has called for striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to “come back fast” for Everton as the big-money transfer target player has disappeared.
The Toffees have been dire in the Premier League since the Qatar World Cup, most recently losing 4-1 to Brighton at Goodison Park on 3 January and falling into the relegation zone.
Frank Lampard’s search for goals has been well recorded as Calvert-Lewin remains highly susceptible to injury and spends more time on the Merseyside medical table than on the pitch.
The 25-year-old’s torrid run of injuries has meant he has played just 493 minutes of league action this term and found the back of the net just once. [Transfermarkt]
Speaking on Vibe with FIVE (9 January, 11min 55sec), former Manchester United defender Ferdinand explained the pivotal role the Toffees ace could play in the club’s relegation battle.
“Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dominic Calvert-Lewin man,” he said.
“This is the guy people were saying Manchester United should buy for £60-70 million only a few months ago.
“Like the injuries, and I don’t know what it is now, but I ain’t seeing that player at the moment, and that player needs to come back fast if they are going to survive relegation because he will be integral to that.”
Desperate
Everton’s goalscoring woes seem to be an ever-growing issue.
Lampard’s side have only managed to find the back of the net 14 times in 18 Premier League games this season, with Anthony Gordon the side’s leading scorer with three goals.
Yes, Calvert-Lewin will need to rediscover his form of 18 months ago to fire the Toffees away from danger, but he must be given time to get back up to speed.
It won’t be what Everton fans want to hear, but the striker has been sidelined for large portions of the last 12 months and can’t be expected to start firing in the goals straight away. He must be nurtured back to full fitness, and fans need to be patient with their talisman.
A dip into the January transfer market for a centre-forward could help take the burden off the Englishman’s shoulders, as right now, he is bearing the brunt of the pressure from the Toffees fanbase.