Everton start to lose confidence in untrustworthy Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Tony Cascarino
Everton are starting to lose confidence in Dominic Calvert-Lewin due to the striker’s constant injury struggles, according to talkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino.
The forward played 90 minutes against Crystal Palace in the 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park on Saturday (22 April), before being substituted by Neal Maupay in injury time.
The match represented the first minutes for Calvert-Lewin since he suffered a hamstring injury against Arsenal at the beginning of February.
When discussing how long it will take Calvert-Lewin to get up to speed, Cascarino said live on talkSPORT: “It took him quite a while last year. If you remember the run-in there, Richarlison was the one that was more pivotal because Calvert-Lewin just missed way too much football.
“When you’re playing players that are not up to speed, you can then lose a little bit of confidence because they know they’re not quite right as well.
“We must be nearly 18 months from when Calvert-Lewin started getting injuries, consistent ones, and it’s been a problem for him and mainly Everton, because they can’t trust that he will be ready enough for them.”
Frustrating campaign
It’s been another hugely frustrating campaign for the Toffees striker, who has been limited to just 12 Premier League matches this season due to his injury struggles.
It follows on from his difficult campaign last time out, where a fractured toe limited him to 17 league matches.
The injuries have come as a major worry for the player and his club, who have massively struggled in his absence. His goals were missed last season as Everton finished 16th in the table, just four points away from relegation.
And it’s been a similar story this time, where the club are now in the relegation places following their goalless draw with Palace, with relegation rivals Leicester overtaking the Toffees after they defeated Wolves 2-1 on Saturday (22 April).
But the fact that Calvert-Lewin played essentially the entire match against the Eagles will come as both a huge relief and confidence-booster for Sean Dyche, who desperately needs the striker and his goalscoring ability in the weeks to come.