Collymore spent two seasons with Everton’s rivals Liverpool.
Stan Collymore in action for Liverpool
Stan Collymore has likened Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin to a pair of former Liverpool strikers.
Also in the interview, which was published on Everton’s official website, Collymore admitted to having a “soft spot” for the Toffees – despite being a former Kop goalscorer instead.
Calvert-Lewin has experienced a rapid rise since his 2016 transfer from Sheffield United, having soon found himself thrust into Ronald Koeman’s first team against many people’s expectations.
The 20-year-old now has 18 Everton appearances to his name, and there should be plenty more to come this season after the Toffees’ failure to recruit the striker they were after ahead of last week’s transfer deadline.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin in action for Everton
Ex-Liverpool strikers Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen also found themselves thrown under the spotlight at a young age, and Collymore believes they and Calvert-Lewin share similar character traits.
“There is undoubtedly something special about the fact he clearly wants to be in the first team,” Collymore said.
“It is not just about wanting to see young players come through, which we all like at our clubs. I want young players who are looking at the gaffer and saying, ‘get me on, get me on’ – and he seems that type of character.
“I was in the States recently talking to Patrick Vieira (the former Manchester City academy boss turned New York City head coach), about Under-23s playing against Under-23s, in an Under-23s league – having the comfort blanket of being at a big club.
“When young players come out and say, ‘give me the opportunity’ – that is what I want to hear.
“In that respect, Dominic reminds me of Robbie Fowler – and Michael Owen, who also made his debut early.”
He added: “(Calvert-Lewin) will need a bit of patience, because most of the youngsters I have ever seen, besides the truly exceptional ones, will have peaks and troughs – good games and bad games.
“I think the fact Dominic has said, ‘I want to be involved, give me an opportunity’, gives you an insight into the character of a player who will have a long and successful career for his club and country.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin at England’s training base in Burton-on-Trent
The Sheffield-born striker made his England Under-21 debut during September’s international break and marked it with a goal against the Netherlands.
Fellow Everton youngsters Mason Holgate, Tom Davies, Kieran Dowell and Ademola Lookman also featured in Aidy Boothroyd’s squad, alongside Liverpool pair Dominic Solanke and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Can Calvert-Lewin replicate the former Liverpool pair’s achievements at Everton?
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