Dominic Calvert-Lewin told to quit Everton after recent developments
Dominic Calvert-Lewin needs to leave Everton to resurrect his career, according to Clinton Morrison.
The 27-year-old was excluded from the starting lineup for the Blues’ 2-0 loss against Nottingham Forest on Sunday (29 December) – his fiancé Sandra Jerze took an apparent swipe at Sean Dyche after the clash at Goodison Park.
However, when discussing the forward’s future on BBC Sport 5 Live’s Premier League Review (29 December, 26:17), former Premier League striker Morrison believes leaving Everton to be in Calvert-Lewin’s best interests.
He said: “It’s not happening for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, you remember a few years ago – it might even be longer than that – where he was scoring goals, he was a real handful [and] everyone was talking about him maybe moving from Everton.
“But, it just looks like he’s so short on confidence, and you’re looking at it, being a striker myself, you go through phases in your career where you feel – do you keep getting in there because you keep missing chances but you have to keep getting in there.
“The only way you’re going to get out of it [poor form] is trying to get in there and scoring goals, and yeah, he looks like a person who’s low on confidence. There is a player there in Calvert-Lewin.
“But he needs to rediscover his form for Everton because they have a problem in scoring goals. You’re thinking, does Calvert-Lewin need a fresh challenge just to resurrect his career?”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin must leave Everton in January
Everton and Calvert-Lewin will part ways – the question remains whether the relationship will end in January or at the end of the season.
The former England international is entering the final six months of his deal at Goodison Park, and he will be free to agree upon a pre-contract agreement with sides outside of England when the transfer window opens on 1 January.
Fiorentina are prepared to test the waters with a “huge” offer to bring the forward to Italy in the summer, but will face stiff competition from Serie A rivals AC Milan and Juventus, who are also in the running.
However, next month will be the last opportunity for Everton to demand a fee to release Calvert-Lewin, and while Kevin Thelwell will be in a weak position to negotiate, any fee is better than allowing him to walk away for free.
He has only managed to score two goals in 17 Premier League outings for the Toffees, after mustering only seven goals in 32 appearances last term, and yet the interest in his signature is intense.
Newcastle United are willing to reignite their interest after a move to St James’ Park collapsed during the final stages last summer [TEAMtalk], and with Arsenal, Manchester United and Aston Villa also keen on the forward, the Premier League sides would need to dig into their pockets to fend off interest from Italy.
And considering Calvert-Lewin failed to hit double digits in goals in two years of Premier League football, Everton should have no problem sanctioning a sale within the English top flight.
In other Everton news, Micah Richards was blown away by a Blues duo despite the loss against Nottingham Forest.
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