Everton shame as perfect Dominic Calvert-Lewin exit now ready
Everton have moved no closer on reviving the future of Dominic Calvert-Lewin into their new chapter at Bramley-Moore Dock as the striker looks set to walk away this summer.
Calvert-Lewin was very close to departing Goodison Park before the start of this season, but remained for the final year of his current deal, however, only managing three goals throughout that time.
The 28-year-old will not be short of suitors given his previous success with the Toffees at times in the Premier League, which has also yielded 11 England caps and four international goals.
Everton writing on the wall for Calvert-Lewin
While several players have hugely benefitted from the swapping of Sean Dyche for David Moyes midway through the season, Calvert-Lewin has if anything regressed.
Injuries have been a major factor, but the confidence just looks to have been sapped from a striker who is at prime age in his career and needs his next contract to be positively defining.
Calvert-Lewin has been usurped by Beto as Everton’s primary striker under Moyes, with the Bissau-Guinean performing like a rough diamond.
TV commentator and expert analyst Ian Darke admitted it would be a “shame” for Calvert-Lewin to end his nine-year spell with something of a whimper, but believes it is the right time for all parties to move on as the fans’ frustration will be difficult to turn around.
“It would be a shame for him to leave this way, to an extent. Recent years have been endlessly frustrating for Calvert-Lewin with so much time on the sidelines,” Darke exclusively told Goodison News.
“You wait and wait for him to return to being that striker that was around the England team and scoring on a regular basis, but it’s been a frustrating situation both for him and the fans.
“You always wanted it to work out for him, but maybe, to be honest, now this time is as good as any for a change of scenery. That could be the answer, and he will always be appreciated for what he has done down the years.”
Calvert-Lewin may feature at Bramley-Moore Dock as opponent
With Everton not seemingly desperate to go out of their way to keep hold of Calvert-Lewin, that message will speak volumes for the striker.
He needs to regain consistent fitness and play somewhere he is the main man, like he once was at Goodison, peaking throughout the ‘lockdown’ season of 2020-21, when he bagged 21 goals in 39 appearances across all competitions.
Maybe he even found it easier playing without supporters in attendance, a similar verdict thrown at players like Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford, who also enjoyed his best career season at this time.
| Everton – contracts expiring in 2025 |
| Dominic Calvert-Lewin |
| Seamus Coleman |
| Ashley Young |
| Abdoulaye Doucoure |
| Idrissa Gueye |
| Michael Keane |
| Asmir Begovic |
| Joao Virginia |
Calvert-Lewin’s CV is one many clubs will look at with appeal, and it could even transpire that he gets to play at Bramley-Moore Dock next season, only for the opposition.
It would be a strange sight, but these are fans who had to watch Wayne Rooney in a Manchester United shirt in 2004. They are pretty thick-skinned these days.
It remains to be seen what happens next with the former England number nine – here’s hoping he does get another runout before Goodison locks its doors.