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Everton asking for trouble if Calvert-Lewin is first choice

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OPINION

Ask any Everton fan where their biggest weakness is in their starting XI and the majority would give you the same answer – up front.

They have struggled to find a centre forward option who fits into their system and the struggles of Cenk Tosun and Dominic Calvert-Lewin led to Richarlison, naturally a winger, leading the line.

The fact Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison topped the goal scoring charts at Goodison Park in the season just gone says everything you need to know about the Toffees’ firepower and improvements are quite clearly needed over the summer and heading into the new campaign.

However, former Everton ace and Sky Sports pundit Duncan Ferguson seems to think that Calvert-Lewin, with six goals in 35 top flight outings, has proven himself as a capable option up top, insisting he has nailed himself into the starting XI for next season.

He told Sky Sports: “Dominic has done very well and has managed to lock himself into that centre forward position as a regular starter.

“I think he’s got a bit of everything, he ticks all the boxes for me. He can run in behind, he can cover the physicality side of it, he can come short, he’s great in the air, his touch is improving.”

Now, if Ferguson’s prediction is correct and Calvert-Lewin is destined for a regular starting role, then Marco Silva is simply asking for trouble.

The 22-year-old is still very much a raw talent and his stats do not stand out as someone capable of being a threat up top.

As detailed by Whoscored, the England under-21 ace averaged 1.5 shots and 0.6 dribbles per game, finding himself dispossessed 1.2 and demonstrating poor control 1.9 times on average.

Add to that his 61.7 per cent pass success rate and it is hardly anything to write home about, leaving Silva in dire need of a new striker.

Calvert-Lewin has the potential to be something special but for a club who should be chasing down the top six, he is not up to scratch to lead the line just yet.

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