Stephen Kelly has expressed concerns about Everton’s need for forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin to find his scoring form. Despite a strong start to the season, Calvert-Lewin has struggled to find the back of the net since October and has only managed to register one assist. Even though his dynamic running abilities have been causing problems for opposition defenses, the lack of goals from the striker has been a source of frustration for both fans and pundits alike.
In a recent game against Brighton, Calvert-Lewin played for 68 minutes but once again failed to find the net. This has led to increased scrutiny of his performances, with critics highlighting his inability to convert chances into goals. While Kelly acknowledges that Calvert-Lewin brings more to the game than just goals, he stressed the importance of having a prolific goal scorer in the team.
Despite Everton’s overall solid defensive performances, they have struggled on the attacking front, with Calvert-Lewin’s dry spell being a major factor. Statistics from WhoScored show that Calvert-Lewin is statistically the worst finisher in the Premier League this season. In addition, his lack of contributions beyond scoring goals, such as creating opportunities and pressing opposition defenders, has added to the pressure on his performances.
Under manager Sean Dyche’s guidance, Calvert-Lewin is being asked to fulfill a role that demands more from him than simply being a traditional goal poacher. While he has the attributes to meet these demands, his execution has been lacking. With Everton having scored just 28 goals this season, fans are growing increasingly frustrated with Calvert-Lewin’s inability to convert chances into goals.
When looking at the expected goals (xG) and actual goals scored, the disparity is alarming. Calvert-Lewin has an xG of nine, according to FotMob, but has only managed to convert three of these opportunities into goals. This stark contrast is a major concern and signifies the Englishman’s lack of clinical finishing.
The situation has raised questions about the source of Calvert-Lewin’s struggles, whether it’s a lack of confidence, the way he is being utilized within the team, or a combination of factors. Regardless, there is a growing consensus that a change is necessary if Calvert-Lewin is to retain his place in the Everton lineup and bolster their attacking threat.
