Gary Lineker raises Calvert-Lewin ‘issue’ at Everton after Aston Villa loss

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is not the man to fire Everton away from the relegation zone this season, according to Gary Lineker.

The 27-year-old was again the centre of attention at Goodison Park as David Moyes was visibly frustrated as he missed a golden opportunity to salvage a share of the spoils in the 1-0 loss against Aston Villa (15 January).

However, Lineker shared via The Rest is Football podcast (17 January, 17:21) his belief that Calvert-Lewin will always be "an issue" for the Blues despite the considerable reported interest in his signature this month.

He said: “It’s hard to know. I suppose if you look back at his career there’s been a decent season or two. He’s got all the attributes [but], he’s not a clean finisher and that for a striker is an issue. He’s never going to be a 20/25 goals a season player even in a side that’s really attacking and has got creative players. I think in the end in football, you find your level.”

Everton must move on from Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Calvert-Lewin is a flop at Everton. With only two goals in 20 Premier League outings this term, there is no escaping that fact.

It is hardly surprising that despite Serie A sides reportedly circling for his signature, no concrete approach has emerged, with him now free to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of England.

However, it is surprising that the Toffees are still chasing a contract extension and are now "confident" he will renew on fresh terms after the dismissal of Sean Dyche [Graeme Bailey].

The injury to Armando Broja and Beto appearing to be heading for the exit door at Goodison Park, complicate matters, but surely the die has been cast on Calvert-Lewin.

He has not registered a double-digit goal return in the Premier League since the 2020/21 campaign and has only done so twice in his eight-and-a-half-year spell at Goodison Park.

Of course, he is not going to be the 20-goal-a-season forward Everton so desperately need, he has not achieved such a feat in any season throughout his career.

The winter transfer window is notoriously difficult to acquire top-level talent, but if the Blues fail to find a forward who can propel the side to the next level - they cannot fall into the trap of offering Calvert-Lewin a new deal - unless it is to flip him for a profit in the summer.

In other Everton news, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville disagree on Blues prediction against Tottenham.

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