OPINION
Everton attacker Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s reported injury is a blessing in disguise as manager Sam Allardyce’s influence at the club was damaging the youngster’s progress.
The Daily Mirror reported on Friday that the 21-year-old centre-forward was set to miss the rest of the season through injury, as tests had revealed that he had suffered a stress fracture in his back.
While it’s clearly disappointing that Calvert-Lewin’s season has come to an abrupt end, at least the 21-year-old’s blossoming career can no longer be derailed by Allardyce.
Calvert-Lewin has showcased his potential to have a bright future at Goodison Park by scoring eight goals in 44 appearances this campaign, but the current Toffees manager has enough clout to ruin all his good work.
Allardyce recently showed the power he had to potentially ruin Calvert-Lewin’s career before it has really started, as the manager carelessly crushed the forward’s confidence.
The attacker missed a huge chance against Liverpool in the recent 0-0 draw with the Toffees’ bitter rivals, and looked like he fluffed his lines due to having no faith in his ability.
Despite this being the case, Allardyce carelessly highlighted the 21-year-old’s miss and made it sound like anyone else would have scored the chance.
“The second one (Lewin’s shot) obviously is the biggest miss of the day for us and probably the biggest chance of the day for both sides,” said the Toffees manager, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
“It’s a clear strike at goal and Dominic, unfortunately for him as a young boy, couldn’t quite make it.”
Based on what Allardyce said, it’s easy to imagine that Calvert-Lewin’s confidence in front of goal could have shattered into a million pieces.
The 21-year-old already appeared to be unsure of himself when it came to scoring, based on his reaction to missing against the Reds.
However he might not have to deal with Allardyce’s poisonous comments next season, as the Daily Star previously reported that the manager was on borrowed time at Goodison Park, with majority owner Farhad Moshiri looking for a younger manager to take the club forward.
Allardyce may have claimed he was staying at the club, as reported by the BBC, but that seems unlikely as his reign at the Toffees can hardly be consider a success.
Therefore Calvert-Lewin’s injury is a blessing in disguise as he will be on the sidelines away from Allardyce’s negative influence for the rest of the campaign, and might not have to deal with the experienced boss next season.