Sean Dyche could send ‘accountability’ message to Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Everton
Sean Dyche could use the clash between Everton and Southampton to send a message to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, according to Joe Thomas.
The Toffees make the trip to St Mary’s on Saturday (2 November) as they look to extend their unbeaten run in the Premier League to six games and move further away from the relegation zone.
Although most expect Calvert-Lewin to remain in Dyche’s starting XI, Liverpool Echo journalist Thomas could hold the forward accountable for his poor finishing this term and opt to start Beto instead.
Speaking on the Royal Blue YouTube channel (28 October, 37:45) he said: “I think Calvert-Lewin is a better player than Beto, I think he does more to give a greater balance to the team.
“But he’s also someone that has laboured a little bit over the last few weeks and he has missed a lot of big chances.
“He has missed a fair few and there might not be a better opportunity than Southampton or maybe West Ham away to give Beto a chance just to remind Calvert-Lewin and bring a bit of accountability to Calvert-Lewin to say, if you carry on missing chances, there is going to be someone there to take your place.
“I think Beto has attributes that can make him viable to this Everton side.”
What has happened to Everton star Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Goodison Park?
Calvert-Lewin has had a bit of an easy run so far this season. With Beto out of form and both Armando Broja and Youseff Chermiti injured, nobody has really challenged the England international for his starting role.
Whether that has made the forward complacent in front of goal is anybody’s guess, but the clash with Southampton could be the perfect chance to fire him a reminder that other players are waiting in the wings.
Beto is by no means the perfect forward, but he showed against Fulham that he can offer something different at the top end of the pitch. He would be more than deserving of a start at St Mary’s on Saturday afternoon.
If Calvert-Lewin is dropped, it could be enough to help him rediscover his best form. The striker may feel too comfortable at Goodison Park at this stage of his career, particularly as his contract situation remains unresolved.
In other Everton news, one player the Toffees are interested in is set to exit during the January transfer window
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