Everton: Sean Dyche may have saved millions as Dominic Calvert-Lewin decision made
Sean Dyche may well have struck pure gold at Everton with a contract renewal for Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Goodison Park now postponed.
Daily Mirror shared in its print edition (10 February, page 67) that the Toffees have now postponed offering the striker a new deal until the summer.
With Calvert-Lewin’s contract set to expire in 18 months, Everton will decide whether to address it at the end of the season.
However, Dyche does still see the 26-year-old’s long-term future being with the club despite the forward failing to score in his last 17 games after recent injuries.
Smart choice amid the 777 takeover and points deduction circus at Everton
Everton are already in a war with the Premier League after the 10-point deduction which is now awaiting a verdict on their appeal and are also still waiting approval from the league and the FA over the 777 Partners’ expected takeover at Goodison Park.
The Toffees certainly have enough to deal with right now behind the scenes which puts player contracts especially ones as big as Calvert-Lewin’s on the back burner.
Not only that, but Everton are under such huge financial pressure with several debts still yet to be paid off and have been funded by the American investors in the meantime which suggests handing out new contracts is a silly move.
If the club are to move on with progress on recruitment and player contract renewals, the issues behind the scenes need to be sorted first, especially the takeover which could give further clarity in respect to resources and finances ahead of what will be a huge summer of rebuild at Goodison Park.
However, there is also the argument that Calvert-Lewin doesn’t deserve a new deal right now given his torrid form and even despite his importance to Dyche.
Everton may well need an upgrade in the summer should his form continue and it wouldn’t make sense to hand him a new deal which could cost millions for a player who may not be the first choice before the new season and then spend millions on a replacement which Dyche desperately needs, even right at this moment in time.
The cost of a new long-term deal for Calvert-Lewin could derail plans to sign a quality upgrade. That’s the reality of the situation Everton are in right now. Talks may be stalled for now but it gives Dyche time to assess ahead of the summer window.
There is no doubt that the Englishman is an extremely talented player, but he’s so short on confidence at the moment following this run of games without finding the back of the net.
It would be very silly to commit to a new deal now with all that’s going on and this decision from the club could well have been instigated by the Toffees boss who still needs to make a decision on whether the 26-year-old still remains his long-term striker choice.
In other Everton news, an update has emerged on the Toffees’ reported attempts to a sign hotshot striker after a last-gasp January transfer window push.
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