Sean Dyche must trust Ellis Simms Everton project after Dominic Calvert-Lewin injury confirmed
Sean Dyche finds himself in a real predicament at Everton following the hamstring injury to Dominic Calvert-Lewin that ruled him out of the Merseyside Derby on Monday night (13 February).
After the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, Dyche hinted that he might need to give Everton’s number nine a spell on the sidelines to recover so that his body doesn’t break down again.
He admitted it would be a “tough call” to play the talisman striker against fellow relegation rivals Leeds United on Saturday (18 February), which could, in turn, leave the door open for academy graduate Ellis Simms to be given a prolonged stint in the first-team.
Although the 22-year-old failed to make a substantial impact on proceedings in his first Premier League start, it was certainly a baptism of fire being thrown in to play bitter rivals, Liverpool, at Anfield.
The problem is that Dyche has next to no options apart from Simms.
Neal Maupay has been non-existent since his summer move from Brighton, while the only other alternative is to play Demarai Gray as a false nine – something that doesn’t correlate with the manager’s typical style of play.
For these collective reasons, Simms should be given a run in the first team regardless of Calvert-Lewin’s fitness status. Even if the England international were to return to fitness, he usually can’t play anymore than 60 minutes due to injury concerns, and he didn’t look his sharpest over the latter stages of Frank Lampard’s tenure as Everton manager when he led the line.
Instead, Dyche must place his faith in Simms. The academy graduate has shown he’s a natural goalscorer during his loan spell at Sunderland earlier this season, where he netted seven goals from 17 appearances, and he has the tools to be a success in the Premier League.
Although he benefitted from a strike partner at the Stadium of Light, there is no reason Simms can’t lead the line by himself. He is big and strong, can occupy defenders with his strength but has the ability to run in behind and latch onto through balls.
If Dyche can get him running at defenders with his pace and skill, it will breed confidence for the youngster, while dropping him straight back to the bench will do the opposite.
Strikers, in particular young ones, sometimes need an arm around the shoulder and a vote of confidence to kickstart a purple patch of scoring form. Although Simms isn’t anywhere near the perfect, he may be the best that Everton have got, and Dyche must treat him as such.