Calvert-Lewin signing new 5-year deal

Wednesday, 3 May, 2017 72comments  |  Jump to most recent

Dominic Calvert-Lewin's new deal runs for five years

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has earned a new five-year contract to stave off interest from the likes of Arsenal.

The 20-year-old, who was a surprise signing from Sheffield United last August, already had three years left on his current contract, but the new one runs up until 2022 and will see his wages bumped up to around £40,000 a week.

Calvert-Lewin has made just 10 appearances in the top flight this season, four of them starts, scoring his only Premier League goal in the 4-0 victory over Hull in March.

Ronald Koeman has been playing Calvert-Lewin out wide, but his natural position is as a central striker, and he should be more prolific in that role, but for the presence of Romelu Lukaku, who remains the Premier League's leading goalscorer.

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“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. “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.”

Ronald Koeman handed Calvert-Lewin a first-team opportunity at the end of 2016 following his early-season form for the Club's Under-23s side. He struck five goals for the young Blues in all competitions this term, helping them to secure the Premier League 2 title.

 

Reader Comments (72)

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David Ellis
1 Posted 03/05/2017 at 05:55:03
£40k a week! Seriously?
Arsenal interested...seriously?

Don't get me wrong, I hope the lad becomes a star, but I don't see it in him at the moment. Lookman on the other hand does have clear natural talent.

Duncan McDine
2 Posted 03/05/2017 at 05:55:04
Well done to the lad, he must be a grafter in training as Koeman seems to like him.

Personally I don't rate him as highly, but I'm happy to see Koeman giving young lads a chance... especially seeing as our season is pretty much over.

Ian Jones
3 Posted 03/05/2017 at 06:25:09
If this interest from Arsenal and perhaps other clubs is true, it seems Dominic is rated highly. Would be useful to see him play in his natural position. Personally, I like what I have seen from him.
Mike Gaynes
4 Posted 03/05/2017 at 06:27:23
Congrats to DCL. I too have yet to see anything from the lad that lifts me out of my seat as Davis and Lookman often do. But clearly Koeman sees something special, and he seems to have a knack for good calls on the young players.
James Watts
5 Posted 03/05/2017 at 06:35:11
Not quite sure what to make of that. 3 years left on current contract but we still bump him to £40k a week over 5 years?!

A decent prospect but has he really done enough for that? He must have one hell of agent.

Scott Hall
6 Posted 03/05/2017 at 07:33:31
Like a new signing...
Colin Glassar
7 Posted 03/05/2017 at 07:48:55
I'm really chuffed about this. I saw 1-2 things he did against Chelsea which made me think that this kid is the real deal. I think next season will see Calvert-Lewin come into his own.
Ian Burns
8 Posted 03/05/2017 at 08:13:32
Sensible future planning or given he had a 3-year contract still to run, maybe we should have waited until we see him play in a more central role to see what he is really made of?

I would love to see him and Lookman play together as a 9 and 10 – just to see what we really have on our hands. However, I must admit to liking the lad, he has something about him.

Ray Robinson
9 Posted 03/05/2017 at 08:18:59
I've seen enough of him to believe that he will become a big player for us in the future – unless the knockers destroy his confidence meanwhile. Can't put my finger on it precisely but he looks very promising.
Rob Young
10 Posted 03/05/2017 at 08:23:28
Here's a 20-yeard-old who has made just 10 appearances for the club being knocked left, right and centre by his own fans recently. The same people who knock him will moan about lads like him (and Barkley) when their confidence is shot.

I like Calvert-Lewin, I think there might just be something there – given time. Works harder than Rom for starters and can actually win a header.

Liam Reilly
11 Posted 03/05/2017 at 08:32:31
Works hard and Koeman clearly rates him, so good luck to him.

I'd like to see more of Lookman too. He has that selfishness and confidence about him that can change games.

Erik Dols
12 Posted 03/05/2017 at 08:52:26
That's over £10 million, after playing just 10 games. These numbers are getting insane. Of course you cannot blame him for this and it is good we sign or highly rated talents for the long run. Let's hope he lives up to the potential.
Dave Williams
13 Posted 03/05/2017 at 09:01:49
Ron sees far more of him than we do!

He reminds me of the very young Graeme Sharp who would not have looked much good himself if played out wide at 20 years old but what a player he became.

Hopefully he will progress and with Joe and Dunc on the staff he has the right mentors.

John Raftery
14 Posted 03/05/2017 at 10:01:17
The comparison with the young Graeme Sharp is a valid one. Having seen Calvert-Lewin in his natural position leading the line for the Under-23s versus Spurs recently, I can understand why the club have done this. Unsworth worked with him at Sheffield United several years ago so he knows what he is capable of.

Physically he can hold his own with the toughest of defenders and he has shown strength of character to bounce back quickly from the ankle injury he suffered on his full debut versus Southampton.

I expect him to be in the team for the early rounds of the Europa League. £40k is a lot of money but in this day and age it is no more than the average Premier League squad player would expect. If Calvert-Lewin maintains his current rate of progress this will prove a sound investment.

Alasdair Mackay
15 Posted 03/05/2017 at 10:10:59
This has been put together pretty quickly.

Makes me wonder about the Barkley situation... More and more worried that he is off in the summer.

Matthew Williams
16 Posted 03/05/2017 at 10:18:50
Hope to see more of him next season; the lad works hard & could save the club millions in the future.
Laurie Hartley
17 Posted 03/05/2017 at 10:36:39
What I like about this lad is that he has an "air of confidence" about him.


Mike Allen
18 Posted 03/05/2017 at 10:42:55
I'd just like to see him play in his best position with Lookman playing off him until the end of the season. I don't see Lukaku or Barkley giving us anymore this season. Makes sense if we think the superstars are on the way out...
Denis Richardson
19 Posted 03/05/2017 at 10:51:03
3 years left on his contract and he gets a new one for £40k a week?? Utter madness!

From what I've seen of him so far I'd be very surprised if he gets many starts in he next couple of years.

Just like the Gibson and Barry extensions, mind boggling.

£40k a week ffs!

Phil Walling
20 Posted 03/05/2017 at 10:58:10
The world's gone bloody mad. Dennis at 19 nails it in one!
Sam Hoare
21 Posted 03/05/2017 at 11:27:17
I know football is awash with money but £40k for a youngster who'll likely be on the fringes next season?!! Good luck to him and all but surely he'd have been happy with half of that...
Don Alexander
22 Posted 03/05/2017 at 11:43:48
My guess is that after seeing the lack of goals from all but u-no-ka-ku Koeman is seeking out footballing strikers who put a shift in too. He went on the record last week saying this summer he wants players who score more goals from midfield in particular. To me the comparison with Sharpy is valid but it might put some pressure on Calvert-Lewin in these very early days.

Apart from the season we had with the self-absorbed goal-machine Lineker (the season we won nowt by the way) the goals when Sharpy played were also spread out between his ever changing strike partners, Trev, Sheeds and Kevin Richardson (whose scoring ratio was better than either of the more famous twosome by the way!) and Sharpy, a crafty grafter on top of his scoring duties, was recognised by most as the catalyst for a lot of them.

Steve Jones
23 Posted 03/05/2017 at 12:07:38
Don #22 Re "Trev, Sheeds and Kevin Richardson (whose scoring ratio was better than either of the more famous twosome by the way!)"

What are you basing this on? Richardson's scoring ratio for Everton was not better than Steven's or Sheedy's. At Everton Richardson had an average of 1 goal every 6 games whereas the later two had an average of 1 in 4.

Mike Berry
24 Posted 03/05/2017 at 13:58:44
From what I have seen from him, I can see there is a real talent there. He is a striker, centre-forward ! being played out position.

He is very strong and quick and his ball control is good, he could be a real find when played in his proper position. Let's not forget is is just 20 years of age.

Ron sees him every day and is obviously suitably impressed.

Brian Harrison
25 Posted 03/05/2017 at 14:15:15
I think, until he plays in his proper position, it's hard to judge how good he is, but if its correct £40,000 per week is madness.

I know there is a lot of money for Premier clubs but its only 5 years ago that our top earner was getting £70,000 per week.

Anto Byrne
26 Posted 03/05/2017 at 14:27:06
Start him up front for the remainder of the season. Has Davies got a payrise? Maybe we can sell him for £30mil.
Paul Kelly
27 Posted 03/05/2017 at 14:27:46
As long as he plies his trade up top and not on the wing (thought we'd seen the last of square pegs, triangular holes).
Dave Abrahams
28 Posted 03/05/2017 at 14:32:12
£40,000 a week is a lot of money, but if Calvert-Lewin was transferred, I wouldn't be surprised he went for £10M and that is today. If he proves to be a top player, think of how much he will go for in a couple of years, that is if he goes.

Liverpool have a reserve player Stewart, he hasn't played many times, it was reported over the weekend a club wanted him and were quoted as ready to pay £10M for him.

Yes, it's crazy but is today's price for footballers.

Don Alexander
29 Posted 03/05/2017 at 14:39:44
Steve Jones (and others), sorry to say I think I've been infected by Diane Abbott-itis. Maths was never something I was good at!
Dave Bowen
30 Posted 03/05/2017 at 14:40:51
Rob @ #10. I think most fans knock Calvert-Lewin as he is not ready for the 1st team. That's not his fault, it's Koeman's. Obviously Koeman sees something in lad that most of us haven't.

I think Dom would benefit greatly from a season-long loan at a Championship club next year. I'm still surprised at the new contract though.

Eugene Ruane
31 Posted 03/05/2017 at 14:50:45
"The 20-year-old, who was a surprise signing from Sheffield United last August, already had three years left on his current contract, but the new one runs up until 2022 and will see his wages bumped up to around £40,000 a week."

'will'?

Is that definite?

Not 'could see his wages bumped..' or 'might see his wages bumped..' etc?

Just curious as to where that (very specific sounding) detail has come from.

Keith Harrison
32 Posted 03/05/2017 at 15:16:31
I think Calvert-Lewin's play would improve enormously if he wore proper boots with studs in instead of 'blades', or simply longer studs in his proper boots. He seems to slip on his arse whenever he makes a sharpish turn. This malaise seems to affect quite a few of our players too.

Thought he started well against Chelsea, and showed glimpses. Played in his natural position, he might flourish.

Alan J Thompson
33 Posted 03/05/2017 at 15:24:08
£10M for Calvert-Lewin, £11M for Lookman, £12M for Valencia and we think we'll sign two world beaters and three or four good players?
Eivind Nyhus
34 Posted 03/05/2017 at 16:53:34
Neither Lookman nor Calvert-Lewin looks like Premier League players to me. Maybe in the future, but not right now. Paying youth players £40k is just too much.

If Calvert-Lewin is on £40k, I hope Davis is on at least double that.

Mike Gaynes
35 Posted 03/05/2017 at 17:17:28
Keith #32, great point... in DCL's disastrous substitute appearance at Old Trafford he looked like a dolphin flopping around on the beach. Fell over at least five times by my count. Totally unable to keep the ball.

(Still think that if RK had subbed in Lookman instead of DCL, we would have won that damned game.)

Chris Williams
36 Posted 03/05/2017 at 17:19:07
Whether Calvert-Lewin and Lookman are yet first team players, and I agree they lack experience and a bit of power, is not really the issue I guess. Koeman currently doesn't have a hell of a lot of choice sadly, other than those players who have been tried and found wanting.

I'm trying to look at this as a sort of investment in that they are currently banking these appearances and the learning for the future of themselves and the club.

Hopefully it will pay off, maybe next season as part of a stronger set up.

I continue to live in hope!

Kieran Kinsella
37 Posted 03/05/2017 at 17:32:43
I remember when Shearer joined Newcastle and an article discussing him being on £35k a week while first team regular Rob Elliott was on £500 a week.

Okay so that was 20 years ago but in my industry wages are not quite double what they were 20 years ago if you're in the high end. Many earn about the same as 20 years ago.

So given that we pay Premier League wages via gate receipts, TV money or through buying stuff from advertisers, how long can this continue?

David Pearl
38 Posted 03/05/2017 at 17:36:45
It's more likely to go up to 40k per season based on appearances etc. He has a bit of class about him in his movement but nothing else hits me. However, he is 20 years old and has a lot of potential. Him, Lookman, Davies, Holgate, Barry... futures not looking so bad regardless of what Harry and Lloyd do.
John Pierce
39 Posted 03/05/2017 at 17:55:06
So I can see the discipline in the lads game. Clearly as Koeman favours that over guile then it goes some way to explaining why he plays over Lookman.

I'm completely indifferent to the money. They get paid the going rate.

I can also see hes decent in the air, and quick, he lacks power but at 20 that will come.

Based on our missing champions league quality centre forward in the last month or so, the undroppoble, unsubbable one should have made way for DCL in the last 10mins of games, allowing Lookman into left wing. Lets see at the very least him given a proper opportunity at CF? Not like anyone else is pulling up trees right?

Is Koeman damaging the lad making him play left midfield almost left back in some games? Lets face it our manager loves a dour defensive set up.

Lookman was played there against Bournemouth and was shredded at left midfield and was culpable for one of the goals, not been seen again much has he?

Thats what worries me, DCL, Lookman or anyone else asked to play in a front three always end up been defensive, yet the art of that formation is to occupy the back 4 and defend higher up the park. Either the players can't play to instructions or thats what their orders are. As we've played several people up top with Rom its feels like the latter to me.

Hope see DCL and Lookman play an attacking role in the last three games.


Lev Vellene
40 Posted 03/05/2017 at 19:07:03
As someone else said before me, I think Calvert-Lewin has been rewarded with his new contract for being a future central striker/forward, not for his temporary wide position!

I hope he will gain a lot of experience from being played out wide for now, and that it will help him if (as seems quite possible by now), Lukaku either goes this summer or EFC needs to train someone to eventually shift into Lukaku's position if he leaves the next summer!

Peter Roberts
41 Posted 03/05/2017 at 19:44:54
I like what I see in this lad in many regards.

Athlete, good feet, great attitude, intelligent.

I'd love to see him given a go in the central role – I think he will surprise a few people.


Paul Kossoff
42 Posted 03/05/2017 at 20:20:05
Will be interesting to see exactly what Koeman thinks of Calvert-Lewin if Lukaku goes seasons end, will our strikers be Calvert-Lewin, Kone and Valencia?

Hope not!

Kase Chow
43 Posted 03/05/2017 at 20:30:05
I hope to be proven wrong (very wrong) but I don't see much to his game.

Decent pace and decent in the air but I'm not sure about his finishing: he's missed a few including a bloody header against the shite that would have put us 3-2 down with 20 mins to go.

I want my strikers to score goals above everything else (which is why I don't dislike Lukaku aside from his inability to turn up for matches that matter).

Wish we had a team that could beat the shite. But I'm going off on one.

Good luck, Dominic. Prove me wrong, son.

Dave Abrahams
44 Posted 03/05/2017 at 20:33:30
Off thread, if anyone is interested Tranmere are winning 2-0 after an hour's play. Hope they win and get back into the The Football League.
Dave Abrahams
45 Posted 03/05/2017 at 20:42:28
Tranmere now winning 3-0
Brent Stephens
46 Posted 03/05/2017 at 20:43:32
Dave, has Paul Nuttall scored yet for Tranmere?
Paul Kossoff
47 Posted 03/05/2017 at 20:55:31
Is Paul Nuttall minted? 😋
Brent Stephens
48 Posted 03/05/2017 at 21:00:52
Nah, Paul, he's just a nutter.
Dave Abrahams
49 Posted 03/05/2017 at 21:02:53
Brent (46) no, Norwood and Stockten scored the goals, it finished 3-0 to Tranmere.

Paul (47) if you mean the UKIP fella, I don't know if he is minted, but I think he is minty.

Paul Kossoff
50 Posted 03/05/2017 at 21:03:31
O,es!😋
Brent Stephens
51 Posted 03/05/2017 at 21:04:08
I was talking about the minty one, Dave! The one with the ten-bob PhD!
Paul Kossoff
52 Posted 03/05/2017 at 21:06:47
Dave, have you not had a Nuttall's Minto? 😋
Paul Kossoff
53 Posted 03/05/2017 at 21:07:42
Juventos 2 Monaco 0
Peter Roberts
54 Posted 03/05/2017 at 21:14:23
Imagine if Calvert-Lewin happens to be a 15-20 goal a season striker who presses from the front, links up play, doesn't have a 30% pass completion, can time his jumps for headers...

He may even turn up against the top 6 sides.

Don Alexander
55 Posted 03/05/2017 at 21:21:58
I think he'd need to spend some time with Sharpy for that to happen Peter!
Paul Kossoff
56 Posted 03/05/2017 at 21:27:05
I don't want Rom to go, but if he does we need to get in a proven striker and not take the money and let Bill hide it down his couch while giving Kone an extension, and a further loan deal for Valencia.
Ciarán McGlone
57 Posted 03/05/2017 at 21:41:49
I like the style of this kid, but we're never going to see what he's capable of if Koeman keeps playing him out of position. The worst of Moyes's traits being repeated by Koeman.
John Pierce
59 Posted 03/05/2017 at 22:48:02
Ciarán,

Not sure it Moyeseque playing Calvert-Lewin out of position but what I do know is there is a ready made able young inside forward in Lookman who has been kicking his heels.

Is the bigger crime here playing a player because he is more defensively reliable or not trying to use a more offensive player who would make defending less likely because he has the ball?

Koeman that.

James Stewart
60 Posted 03/05/2017 at 23:21:24
Silly in the extreme, 1 goal and a few sub appearances equals a new contract on double your money! I bet the likes of the U23s can't wait to get a game.
Kieran Kinsella
61 Posted 03/05/2017 at 23:31:43
James Stewart,

I agree but the money is so crazy now I think we just have to overlook it; otherwise, we will drive ourselves insane with envy.

Eugene Ruane
62 Posted 03/05/2017 at 23:57:01
James # 60 - 'Silly in the extreme, 1 goal and a few sub appearances equals a new contract on double your money!'

Guessing your insights on brain surgeons would read – They just make an incision, fiddle about, close it up, piece of piss.

Re Calvert-Lewin, the bit you omit (nb: the most important bit) is that the player's coaches and manager see him each and every day and over a period of time (months, years) use their professional judgement to decide whether he's good enough or not.

Not a science, I admit, and no guarantees of success (the case with any player) but for now, I'll take their reading of the player's abilities over your summing up.

(And I've still yet to see any proof of £40k a week.)

Darren Hind
63 Posted 04/05/2017 at 05:54:49
Rhino had followed this kid since he played for him in his early teens. He strongly recommended that we sign him. Koeman has also shown a lot of faith in him. Considering he has been out with injury, he has already been selected for a lot of games.

Some of the criticism is harsh. He is a striker who has been asked to match up and chase left wingers and wingbacks. It's a similar scenario to when Holgate gets stick, or Davies is labelled "headless".

This manager gets credit for playing kids (when he has to). He's playing regularly selecting three at the moment, but he is playing them all out of position. Holgate a centre back, is playing right back. Davies a DM being asked to play further forward. and then there's Calvert-Lewin himself.

Perhaps if Lukaku does go, Koeman thinks he has a ready made replacement in Liam Walsh... All three of these kids have equipped themselves fantastically but, as already pointed out above, this "square peg, round hole" lark is all very Davey Moyes.

This is a good bit of business, but the kid will not really shine until he is playing for somebody who doesn't play him everywhere but his natural position.

Kenny Smith
64 Posted 04/05/2017 at 06:59:05
Sounds mad, £40k a week for someone who will no doubt be a fringe player next season but it also makes perfect sense. What are we paying Valencia? He'll move back to West Ham and Calvert-Lewin will replace him in the squad.

Let's face it, Lukaku is off and I'm sure Koeman knows a £1 million buy from Sheffield United's academy is not going to replace him.

Declan Campbell
65 Posted 04/05/2017 at 16:38:20
Kase Chow, Holgate missed that chance against Liverpool.
Paul Holmes
66 Posted 04/05/2017 at 16:39:42
When they play Calvert-Lewin in his right position, centre forward, then you will see an improved player (he is not a winger). One of his main attributes is heading (he can jump like Big Dunc). He can't head the ball on the wing!

Hopefully he will get a chance to play in his right position in the cup games, or Europa League games when we have already qualified. Posters on here might be pleasantly surprised by his heading ability!

Rob Dolby
67 Posted 04/05/2017 at 23:47:15
The world has gone mad. At what point did Dominic Calvert-Lewin deserve a new contract?

He has had a few cameos and looked okay, no more or less, or am I missing something?

Mark Andersson
68 Posted 05/05/2017 at 06:09:22
Koeman once said the best center forward he ever worked with was Van Basten WHY because he was a very clever player intelligent off the ball etc. As Colin say's I would judge a footballing man like Koeman over any fan of any club.

I hope the the lad proves and justifies his wage increase – then you can moan when the lad wants to play for a bigger football club who play Champions League. Let's see what happens before you judge, eh?

Rick Tarleton
69 Posted 05/05/2017 at 06:11:19
He must have a lot more potential than I've perceived; he looks decidedly average.
Russ Quinlan
70 Posted 05/05/2017 at 07:48:23
Never mind the dosh, have you seen his missus all over Facebook today!!!
pppphhhwwwaaarrrrrrrr!!!

Mark Andrews
71 Posted 05/05/2017 at 08:50:20
There are some proper nay-sayers on this thread! The lads made a step up 2 divisions, he's 20 years old, he's broken through into the first team earlier than expected and is being played out of position but "he's not good enough". Some people need to get a grip.
Dick Fearon
72 Posted 05/05/2017 at 08:58:55
I have just read on Wickipedia that Calvert-Lewin's height is 1.76 m and he weighs 67 kg. Is that correct? He looks to be much taller.
Tony Marsh
73 Posted 05/05/2017 at 11:08:34
Easily the most bang average youngster to play for us since John Oster. I don't see anything of note to be honest. The kid on loan at Bristol City from Chelsea... now he is class.

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