Transfer Talk: Time for Toffees to stick or twist with Calvert-Lewin

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is attracting interest from a host of Premier League clubs — and the temptation for Everton to sell is growing.

The striker, 25, has had an injury-hit campaign as the Toffees have struggled against the threat of relegation for much of the season.

Despite featuring just 11 times in total this term, the England international appears to be on the radars of Arsenal and West Ham among others.

As Frank Lampard’s men prepare to face the Hammers on Sunday, we ponder whether now is the time to cash in on their star forward.

Toffees talisman

This season’s frustrations reinforce how important Calvert-Lewin has been for the Blues in previous campaigns.

The former Sheffield United man was a revelation under Carlo Ancelotti, becoming the Merseysiders’ undisputed No9 after the Italian took over in 2019.

A tidy 15 goals in the 2019-20 campaign was followed by an outstanding tally of 21 goals last season, bringing with it his maiden England caps and plenty of plaudits.

After claiming a place in Gareth Southgate’s squad, Ancelotti said of Calvert-Lewin: "He is a complete striker. It is not easy to find a striker with these characteristics.

"He has a lot of energy, is really fast. I am really pleased he is doing well and scoring goals because in the end a striker is judged on the goals he scores.

"It's a great achievement for him [the England call-up]. I hope it will not be the last. It depends on him. He is doing really well. He needs to have consistency."

Injuries woes

But injuries have meant he has struggled to replicate that this season and Everton have suffered as a result.

After scoring in each of their opening three Premier League games, Calvert-Lewin was out for three months with a fractured toe and has struggled to sustain a run of games since returning in January.

While not the only contributor, it is no surprise to see the Toffees' goals per 90 minutes record slip from 1.4 with Calvert-Lewin to just 0.88 without him.

Furthermore, they have managed less shots on target (4.4 with, 3.24 without), created less chances (9.7 with, 8 without) and have a lower expected goals total (1.55 with, 1.1 without) per 90 with their striker out of the team this season.

Appearing as a guest on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football during Everton’s 2-1 defeat to Wolves last November, the striker opened up on his frustrations of not being able to help his team’s cause as much this season.

He said: "Unfortunately, we’ve got some important players out at the moment and I feel a bit helpless stood here. 

"I want to be able to help my team-mates and want to get back playing."

Time to cash in?

Despite failing to add to those three strikes at the start of the season, there still seems to be plenty of interest in Calvert-Lewin.

Arsenal are known to be long-term admirers, while West Ham and Newcastle are others to have been linked with the forward.

It is easy to see why Calvert-Lewin would be attracted by a move to any of those clubs, with two of them competing for European football currently and the ambitious Magpies hoping those days are not too far off.

And despite his clear importance to the Merseysiders, they may look to cash in this summer as financial fair play regulations continue to be a concern — meaning a reported £60million fee would be hard to turn down.

Another injury-hit season in 2022-23 would see that value plummet so it could be time to strike while the iron is hot.

That is certainly the opinion of former Hammers striker Frank McAvennie.

The Scot told Football Insider: "All of the talk at Everton is about the money and how much they might lose in the summer. 

"Even if they stay up, you have to look at selling a few players to ease that burden. Calvert-Lewin is someone who will be in demand if he’s available.

"All the top clubs will be interested. He has to be one of the most, if not the most valuable player they have so I would be shocked if he’s there next season."

Playing for his future

Of course, should the unthinkable happen and Everton suffer relegation, then they are sure to be helpless in preventing Calvert-Lewin from departing.

That would likely mean their leading man would leave for a cut-price fee alongside other financial implications relegation brings, meaning the stakes could hardly be higher.

A 1-0 victory over Newcastle in Everton’s last league game, where the returning frontman provided the assist for Alex Iwobi’s late winner, has offered hope of survival among the Goodison Park faithful.

More influential displays like that will be key to securing the Blues' Premier League status — and it may just convince an interested club to splash the cash on him this summer.