Sean Dyche now holds future of Lewis Dobbin in hands at Everton after pre-season displays
Everton may yet be fielding a few calls from EFL clubs on academy starlet Lewis Dobbin and Sean Dyche certainly has a decision to make regarding his future at Goodison Park.
The young forward who penned a new three-and-a-half-year deal with Everton in January 2022 has been rising through the ranks of the Merseyside youth set-up since he was 11 years old and has since earned recognition on the international stage with two caps for the England U19s.
Dobbin spent much of last season on loan at side Derby County, bagging five goals for the League One side, playing 54 times and helping them to a play-off push, including a superb volley in the FA Cup against Torquay United.
With Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s fitness a lingering concern and Neal Maupay potentially leaving Goodison Park this summer, Everton are in dire need of other options to boost their goalscoring.
And following his return for pre-season, Dyche made the decision to hand Dobbin a start against Bolton on Tuesday (26 July) for which the 20-year-old impressed with an encouraging pre-season display.
Dobbin had a couple of opportunities to score, particularly when Dwight McNeil set him free in the first half, but he was denied by the keeper and the Goodison Park wonder looked lively throughout, flickering with menace and always seeking to create chances for his teammates.
With the Toffees desperately short on striker options ahead of the new season, with no guarantees on whether they’d sign one, Dyche may well be inclined to hand some of his academy stars a route to first-team football and given Dobbin’s displays last season and stunning potential, this season may well be his chance to shine.
Over 43 League One appearances for Derby, Dobbin has scored three goals, registered four assists and created four big chances, as well as averaging 1.3 shots on goal, one successful dribble and 2.3 duels won per game, proving that he is very well capable of providing a potent attacking threat, as well as defending efficiently from the front.
In the friendly double-header last weekend, Dobbin joined the more youthful XI against Tranmere Rovers, and was again impressive which will certainly force Dyche to make a decision on his future at Goodison Park.
Should he fail to make the Premier League cut next season, it is abundantly clear that Dobbin will be seeking opportunities elsewhere in order to further his learning and development and there is certainly no better platform than the Championship.
His performances for Derby County last season certainly warrants him that invaluable opportunity.
In other Everton news, Amadou Onana has sent a one-word message to a player after the latest Manchester United transfer news.