- Planet Sport writer
- 15 August 2024
Everton's financial struggles may force Dominic Calvert-Lewin sale
Everton boss Sean Dyche has not dismissed the possibility of losing striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin before the season's end.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is a striker who plays for Everton and the England men's national team.
Calvert-Lewin was born in Sheffield and began his career with Sheffield United. The Blades loaned him out to Stalybridge Celtic and Northampton Town after he came through their youth structure.
Since signing for Everton on a permanent basis in 2016, Calvert-Lewin has established himself as a dependable and hardworking striker. He played for England at U-20 and U-21 level before his senior breakthrough in 2020.
Sheffield United's homegrown talent
Calvert-Lewin joined the Sheffield United youth academy in 2005. He earned a scholarship with the academy at the age of 16. It was only during his loan stint at Stalybridge Celtic in 2014/15 that Calvert-Lewin converted from a midfielder to a striker.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin skips past his defender for Sheffield United
On April 25, 2015, Calvert-Lewin made his first team debut for Sheffield United in a 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient in a League One clash, coming off the bench in the 66th minute.
Although Nigel Adkins had hinted that he might get further first-team opportunities, Calvert-Lewin was sent out on loan to Northampton Town in 2015/16.
His rise at Everton
Calvert-Lewin signed for Everton in a deal reported to be worth £1.5million on August 31, 2016.
"It's an opportunity I couldn't turn down. Everton is a great football club as is Sheffield United," Calvert-Lewin was quoted as saying by The Star.
"Maybe I wasn't that much in favour at United and getting the game time. Maybe sometimes you need a new opportunity. I was at Sheffield United a long time and often a change of scenery can do you good."
Calvert-Lewin scored his first goal for Everton on March 18, 2017 in a 4-0 Premier League win over Hull City.
On May 3, 2017, Calvert-Lewin signed a five-year contract with Everton.
"I hadn't expected things to move as fast as they have and to have played against the teams I have done, so I'm very grateful for that and I'm working hard every day to improve," said Calvert-Lewin, as per Everton's official club website. "I'm learning every day in training and in the games, so I can't ask for much more.
"It only feels like yesterday when I was signing for Everton, so to be here now is a great feeling. My leap into the first-team was a bit quicker than expected and I've played a few games now. I came in with the Under-23s initially and I'm now really enjoying being part of the first-team squad.
"Around Christmas I got my chance with the first-team, got on the bench and made my debut. It's taken off from there and I've tried to take it in my stride day-by-day."
He finished his first season with 11 appearances and just a solitary goal.
Calvert-Lewin's strike rate in front of goal for Everton steadily improved. He scored eight goals in 44 appearances in all competitions in the 2017/18 season. In 2018/19, he netted eight again in 38 appearances.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin strikes as Everton dent West Ham’s top-four hopes
In the 2019/20 season, Calvert-Lewin scored 15 goals in 41 appearances. He had an even better campaign under Carlo Ancelotti in 2020/21, scoring 21 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions.
"It is hard to put it [regular scoring] down to one thing but, above all, it is belief in myself," said Calvert-Lewin, according to Everton's website.
"We've had many interviews when you've asked about me doing everything but scoring goals.
"I've had to grit my teeth and say, 'The goals are coming, I am persisting'.
"I truly believed they would come, even when, maybe, other people didn't.
"I had periods when people doubted I could score at all.
"I knew I was doing the right things and the penny would drop.
"And that was when the penny did drop, people would ask me, 'What changed?'
"Nothing has changed, I am still the same me, working hard and doing the same things.
"I knew this day would come, when you would ask me this question."
England call-ups
Calvert-Lewin made his England U-20 debut in 2016 and scored the winning goal in the final of the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea as England beat Venezuela 1-0 to win the trophy.
Calvert-Lewin was selected in England's 23-man squad for the 2019 UEFA U21 European Championship and received his first call-up for the England senior national team on 1 October 2020.
On debut, Calvert-Lewin scored a header in the 3-0 win against Wales.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin England Mar21
"'Obviously it's a shame there's no fans here to celebrate and family could have been here. To score on debut it's the stuff of dreams," he said, as per the Daily Mail.
"Yeah it's the best one (of the season so far), I've worked hard to get here but it's been a long road.
"'I enjoyed the game time and am happy to step in. I'll be keeping that number 9 shirt and putting it on the mantelpiece."
He followed that up with a brace in the 5-0 drubbing of San Marino.
Calvert-Lewin made England's squad for the delayed Euro 2020 tournament, although is involvement in it was minimal.
The former Sheffield United man did not start any games, but came off the bench in England's opening match against Croatia and quarter-final against Ukraine.
Personal life
After Calvert-Lewin scored against Wales, his father, Karlda Lewin, wrote an emotional Facebook post revealing details of his struggles on his way to the top.
"I remember him not making the England Victory Shield Squad at U-16s, certain coaches and managers not rating him. Having to take a crying six-year-old boy home from his first trial as he was too shy to play," said Karlda.
"When knocked down, he gets back up. You're not allowed to stay down around here anyway.
"Rejection is often life's way of directing you to the path you're supposed to be on. If you hang around the barbers long enough, eventually you will get a trim.
"Travis Binnion, David Unsworth, Ronald Koeman, Duncan Ferguson, Carlo Ancelotti. Thank you for believing in him when others didn't.
"Dominic Nathaniel Calvert-Lewin, England debut scorer and reward for the hard yards done. Tonight belongs to you. Congratulations son. I love you and I am beyond proud."
Calvert-Lewin was in a relationship with Meg Taylor-Lilley, although The Sun have reported that the pair split up.
Net worth
According to Spotrac, Calvert-Lewin had an annual salary of £1,040,000 as per the 2020/21 season.
