Calvert-Lewin: Signing for Everton was a 'no-brainer'

, 7 September, 21comments  |  Jump to most recent

Everton's latest addition to the Under-23s set-up, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, has described how joining the Blues was an easy decision based on the club's track record for bringing through youth players.

The 19-year-old had been tracked by Everton for a while before he finally completed a £1.5m move from Sheffield United on transfer deadline day last week, just days before he made a scoring debut for England U20s.

“[Choosing Everton] was a no-brainer for me,” he told evertontv in his first interview since putting pen to paper on a four-year contract. “You've only got to look at the chance that is given to youth here … and the quality of players that are [in the U23s setup] now like Mason Holgate . 

“That's something that appeals to me as a 19-year-old player and you can't ask for more than that, really.

Article continues below video content


“Obviously, hard work pays off and now I'm looking for a chance to show what I can do.”

Born in Sheffield, Calvert-Lewin came through the Blades' youth system and was farmed out on loan to Stalybridge Celtic two seasons ago where he notched six goals in five games before spending part of last season at Northampton Town for whom he scored five times in 20 appearances.

He will join David Unsworth's U23s where there will be plenty of competition as he bids to impress his new boss, with the likes of David Henen, Courtney Duffus, Bassala Sambou, Sam Byrne, Calum Dyson and Conor McAleny already vying for spots along with U18s graduates likes Nathan Broadhead and Delial Brewster.

“I play more as a striker. I can play the No.10 [role] in behind the striker as well but I like to be quite direct, running in behind. I'm quite good in the air; I like to head the ball and just express myself, really.”

Providing he is fit and selected, Calvert-Lewin will get his first chance to do that when the U23s take on Sunderland in a home fixture this weekend.

 

Reader Comments (21)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer


Colin Williams
1 Posted 07/09/2016 at 19:05:44
Good choice lad, keep your head down and listen to the gaffer, leave it all on the pitch and you'll do well. Top potential The rest is up to you!!! Delighted your a blue!
Darren Hind
3 Posted 07/09/2016 at 20:24:12
Hearing some very favourable things about this kid this morning. Looking forward to seeing him.
John Jones
4 Posted 07/09/2016 at 20:48:29
At least somebody wanted to sign for us.
Tony Hill
5 Posted 07/09/2016 at 21:12:22
Yes, exactly the sort of attitude we want and need. Excellent, and it makes it easy to warm to him straight away. He is in the best hands and let's hope he can come through.
Patrick Carty
6 Posted 07/09/2016 at 21:34:51
It's nice to hear from a player that actually want's to sign for us.
Good luck lad, hope you have a bright future with Everton.
Damian Wilde
7 Posted 07/09/2016 at 21:57:24
Good to have you on board, Dom!

Anyone any idea what the kid is like?

Garry Corgan
8 Posted 08/09/2016 at 00:06:35
See Romelu, this is how you do it. Score some goals and say favourable things about the club. Everybody's happy.

Then you can say what you want to your agent, father, Juventus and Chelsea IN PRIVATE!

Kevin Rowlands
9 Posted 08/09/2016 at 00:59:02
EXACTLY Garry! Welcome aboard Dominic, watched Unsy's comments about this lad on the official site and he's very high on him, good enough for me.
Teddy Bertin
10 Posted 08/09/2016 at 01:04:20
You know what? For the first time in 25 years, I've kinda lost a bit of interest in what we're doing. Don't get me wrong I still check every day. Don't get me wrong – I think Koeman is a great manager but I've just lost a bit of interest in what the club is doing.

Maybe it's people like stones getting their break with us and turning around and having no interest in playing for us. Maybe it's the ridiculous nature of the market. Maybe it's the fact that we're fighting against Stoke, West Brom and Crystal Palace for players...

Maybe it's Rom using every international break to say that he wants to leave. In fact, with Rom as our most exciting & expensive player in decades, maybe he is to blame. If he's the best thing we have and he constantly uses the international break to undermine our club, then maybe that's it.

Whatever it is, I just feel like I don't give a shit. Sorry.

Kevin Rowlands
11 Posted 08/09/2016 at 01:15:45
Teddy, I – and it sounds like you as well – were lucky enough to have witnessed the '80s and would dearly love our younger fans to experience the success that we did, it really was fantastic and Rotterdam and that season will always remain as one of the highlights of my sports supporting life.

I have been where you're at a few times over the last 20 years or so, BUT, I am more positive than I have been about this current Everton than I have been in years. I really like Koeman and I hope and believe we are about to turn the corner.

Teddy Bertin
12 Posted 08/09/2016 at 01:45:28
I hope so, Kevin. I think I just need to see some results and some passion on the pitch. I really like Ronald Koeman and a lot of our squad. Just need to see some old-fashioned Everton performances and less of all this chat. The transfer window and all this Premier League money is ruining the game for me.
David Ellis
13 Posted 08/09/2016 at 02:40:45
Kevin and Teddy (10-12) - I'm with Kevin here. Like you Teddy I have had periods over the last 25 years when I have just shut Everton out of my life because it all seemed so pointless (never more than for a couple of months - 1995 was the longest period..but that suddenly came together!). Summer transfer windows when former rivals like Arsenal and Liverpool (let alone Man Utd) seemed to be in a different universe.

However, this summer that changed for the first time in 25 years... at least it appeared to. I've hadn't been more optimistic since the beginning of Howard Kendall Mk II in 1990-01 when I naively thought normal service would be resumed (how wrong I was).

l am now hoping not to be disappointed again – but there are some really good signs coming out of the club... but that Moshiri tweet to Sky has got me really concerned. Anyway, it is a lot better than last year and there are some macro forces that make the feats of Ipswich and Nottingham Forest and Leicester possible again as

(a) the TV money has levelled the playing field, and
(b) the fact that there is now a top 6 not a top 4 means that no-one can guarantee Champions League income every year.

We can't get the very best players but like Leicester we can put together a team that is "good enough" for a bit of luck and a good manager to get us into the frame.

It's the hope that kills you!!

Peter Roberts
14 Posted 08/09/2016 at 08:37:28
Teddy I feel a bit like you as well even as a younger blue who didn't live through the glory days (born two weeks after Rotterdam), 1995-96 under Royle is as good as it ever got.

Have a bit of faith because it looks like the 1st team in good hands under Koeman and Unsworth seems to have a good eye on the Under-23s. He is also a massive Blue so can instil passion into those like Calvert-Lewin who haven't come through the academy and aren't born Blue.

Richard Lyons
15 Posted 08/09/2016 at 09:00:40
Teddy, I fully understand your feelings - in fact it's a surprise that it's the "first time in 25 years" for you.

But, trying to be optimistic: if Marcus Rashford can set the world alight at his tender age, then maybe DCL can as well, and then if Rom still wants to go, we can sell him for silly money.

And once we qualify for the CL, we certainly won't be fighting against Stoke etc for players...

Chin up!

Willliam Bruce
16 Posted 08/09/2016 at 09:16:46
I think this lad should room with Lukaku... and teach him a thing or two.
Dave Abrahams
17 Posted 08/09/2016 at 09:31:22
Welcome to the club, Dominic, just carry on as you have started, listening, learning and doing the best you can;, I wish you the best of luck and good health.

Teddy, of course it gets hard to follow the Blues but I honestly think there are real signs that the good days are returning and players with the attitude of Dominic make it a bit easier.

As Colin said the other day, he still loves football but hates a lot of footballers, and it is their consuming love of money, not football that makes a lot of fans turn against them. Teddy, things will get better.

Fran Mitchell
18 Posted 08/09/2016 at 10:00:56
I'm amazed that there are no comments castigating the lad for his lack of loyalty to the Blades.
Chris Gould
19 Posted 08/09/2016 at 10:24:21
Fran, did he agitate for a move? Did he belittle the club and publicly say he wanted to move to a bigger club?

Everton made a bid that satisfied Sheffield Utd and they accepted. Nothing to do with a lack of loyalty.

I assume your comment is a dig at those who have been slating Rom? I don't expect loyalty from Rom. I expect him to show the club some respect and display a little diplomacy.

Terry Underwood
20 Posted 09/09/2016 at 12:49:40
Good interview, this lad doesn't appear to be afraid of hard work and isn't short of confidence. I can see him on the bench later this season, with, just maybe, a bit of game time. Just hope he doesn't take the sulky, lazy one as a role model.
James Lauwervine
21 Posted 09/09/2016 at 13:57:06
Just spoken with a Sheff Utd fan at work who said he was very surprised they got £1.5m for him. Doesn't think he would have made their team this season.

Says he's not physically imposing, not particularly quick or skillful. Tall but not known for being great in the air. He also said he hopes he's wrong and wishes the lad luck. We shall see...

Patrick Murphy
22 Posted 10/09/2016 at 20:42:28
A player who made the same move some 96 years ago was Sam Fazackerley and it caused a bit of a stir at the time due to the 'huge' fee.

November 9 1920. The Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury

It is stated the Everton Football Club paid £3,750 for the Transfer of Sam Fazackerlay, the Sheffield United centre-forward. This is a record fee, the previous of Lane of Blackpool, Everton also paid large fees for Brewster, Downs, and Crossley, Fazackerley has a great opportunity of delighting the followers of the team. There can be no question as to his skill, and with the height of 5ft 10 and half ins. He ought to able to make something of the centres from Harrison and Chedgzoy.

Fazackerley's Price.

There has been a great deal of speculation going on as to the price Everton paid for Fazackerley and it will set a good deal of argument at rest if I state that I learn from a friend “in the know” at Sheffield that the sum was £4,000. Everton all, but lost their man because of his insistence on living in Preston. Up to now it has been an invariable rule with the Everton board that their players should live in Liverpool.

It is open secret that Downs wanted to reside in Sheffield and that Jones, the outside-right, wished to remain at home in Wrexham. The club, however, insisted on their rule being observed in these cases. But Fazackerley was adamant if Everton would not let him live at Preston, he would sign for Bolton, who were not so particular, and rather than lose their man, the Everton officials relaxed their rule.

WHERE WILL IT END?

November 10, 1920. The Evening Express.

By CRI

Touching on the transfer question and the rising “fees” J.C, in the Sporting Chronics,” says:- “

“Where are clubs drifting to? The question seems pertinent when it is recalled that on January 1, 1908, the Football Association imposed a limitation on transfer fees. The highest sum which was legal was £350, but the rule, constantly broken and avoided, was rescinded the following May and June.

Not so many years ago the sporting world stood aghast when £1,000 was paid for Alfred Common. It will be remembered that Common originally left Sunderland for Sheffield United at a fee fixed at £325. In a manner which Sheffield United did not relish at the time. Common was eventually re-transferred to the Wearsiders for £520. Shortly after Sunderland disposed of Common for £1,000 to Middlesbrough, and this gained £805 net out of the three deals.

“What an outcry there was about that £1,000. Sheffield United in their official programme said: No club in the past has paid such a hugh sum for any player, nor in our opinion is any player worth such a sum, what over his abilities may be. That induces a smile especially when we recall that Sheffield United themselves paid Barnsley £2,000 for George Utley on November 17, 1913. On May 12, 1914, Manchester City sent Derby County a cheque for £2,500 for Horace Barnes – the highest sum up to that date. But after an all night argument in Edinburgh the Blackburn Rovers gave the Hearts of Midlothian £2,600 for Percy Dawson. During the war it was said that the days of such high transfer fees had come to the end. Never more would such investments be made in a player.

The war over what do we find? Chelsea give £2,500 for John Cock and Aston Villa £2,700 for Barson. Barnsley cannot be left out of this story – especially if all the four figures fees were tabulated. Clearly the £3,000 would soon be reached. And it is said that Birmingham not only gave £3,600 for Lane, but £3,500 for Crosbie. Now there is no doubt that Everton have established a record for information from a club which did not sign Fazacerley, is to the effect that they were prepared to pay £3,700 (as stated exclusively in the “Express yesterday), the sum paid for Fazackerley was £4,000.

Not so long ago the President of the League declared that he had hoped that these huge transfer fees would never return. But they have, and anyone may be permitted to wonder where this competition for men will end. In spite of modern gates such sums seems preposterous.

Sam managed 8 goals in his 20 league appearances in his first season and scored a total of 21 goals in some 50 appearances for Everton FC, he played his final match for the Blues in October 1922 scoring in the 4-2 victory against Nottingham Forest at Goodison Park.


Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


About these ads

© ToffeeWeb