Dominic Calvert-Lewin ‘could be on his way’ in January as Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham linked to Everton striker
Dominic Calvert-Lewin “could be on his way” out of Everton in the January transfer window after his return to “silky” form, according to Alan Brazil.
The talkSPORT host discussed the Toffees striker’s future live on the station on 1 November with fellow former forwards Tony Cottee and Ally McCoist, with the ex-Goodison man noting that Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham are all in the market for a goalscorer and could be interested.
Everton were told they “cannot allow” the 26-year-old to go midseason, although a summer departure was suggested as a possibility when transfers can be discussed “sensibly”.
Brazil said (8.42am): “I can see maybe in eight-10 weeks he could be on his way. I hope not from Everton’s sake if he can keep fit. Calvert-Lewin, of course beautiful goal against West Ham, he’s looking silky again.
“You look at some of the teams in the Premier League, big, big clubs, don’t get me wrong Everton’s a big club, but they’re looking for a centre forward. And I just wonder could he fill a gap somewhere?”
Cottee replied: “He could Al, and you know he’s a good player. There’s a lot of clubs that are looking for centre-forwards, West Ham being one of them as well.
“Because [Michail] Antonio’s done great but he’s a converted centre-forward, he’s 32-33,. West Ham need a forward, Arsenal need a forward, Chelsea need a forward. There’s some big clubs out there that need centre-forwards.
“I hope Calvert-Lewin doesn’t leave Everton. I’d like to think he’s at the club and enjoying it. Obviously money talks but he makes a massive difference to that Everton team. I was at the game on Sunday, fantastic goal, lovely little touch. It was a brilliant touch.”
McCoist cut in: “I loved the touch and I knew you’d love it as well. The touch just opens up the shot for him, brilliant finish as well.”
Cottee continued: “You know what it’s like, you don’t get much time in the box, you’ve got to create the space sometimes [with] a little bit of movement and skill. I thought it was a fabulous goal, I really did, and he makes such a difference.
“He leads the line for that Everton team and with the potential 12-point deduction coming as well, or whatever it might be, they’re going to need his goals to stay in the Premier League. So I think Everton have got to keep him, they cannot allow him to leave in January. End of the season is a bit different and you can talk things sensibly, but no rash decisions.”
Main man
Everton’s form under Sean Dyche this term has been far from perfect and Calvert-Lewin himself has had off days, such as in the defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
But on the whole his increased availability after recovering from the fitness issues that had plagued him over the past two seasons have made a huge difference.
His four goals in eight appearances so far this season are a marker of his ability when firing, and the winner in the crucial 1-0 win at West Ham on Sunday (29 October) was the latest reminder of what the Toffees had been missing so often previously.
But it is inevitable that the more he plays and performs the more interest it will potentially draw from clubs who need a player of his profile.
Fans will undoubtedly be concerned at the prospect of yet another key man making a big-money exit from Goodison Park, joining the likes of Richarlison and Anthony Gordon who have been sacrificed in attempt to help balance the books.
But regardless of the potential for a points deduction Dyche can ill-afford to lose his number nine and possibly derail all of the progress that is currently being made.
There may be more relegation candidates in the Premier League this term but Calvert-Lewin’s form could be the difference between Everton joining them or not.
In other Everton news, the Toffees have now been tipped for a possibly trophy win after years of being “down in the doldrums”.