When Dominic Calvert-Lewin made the move from Sheffield United to Everton, it’s fair to say the step-up took some getting used to. The youngster has played a lot of games for the Blues now, and at 23 he’s just come off the back off of what was an excellent season in the league. For many Evertonians, the hope is that ‘DCL’ can step up this year and really keep building on the mass improvements made to his game under Carlo Ancelotti.
In what was a rather underwhelming end to the season, Calvert-Lewin was a bright spark in many ways.
What makes him so special?
For a few years there, Calvert-Lewin was the peak ‘striker who does not score goals’ kind of forward. However, with 13 goals in the league last year and an assist, too, he was one of the best young forwards in the league. Given his game is about so much more than scoring goals, too, the addition of some more prolific spells might take his game to a whole new level.
While his passing can be quite lethargic and he could work harder defensively at times, he’s a real handful to deal with offensively for teams. He gets involved in duels with central defenders, forces the full-backs to worry about his drifting into wide areas, and is an excellent link-up player.
Add in a more ruthless streak in front of goal, too, and you can see why excitement at both club and national level is growing for the youngster. He’s great in the air, but is now beginning to do something with his physique and his technique.
And although he never scored once the return of the Premier League came back, 13 goals before the COVID-19 restart is a solid season to build upon for a young player who is finally growing to be top-flight standard.