Joe Royle has claimed, during an interview with Obstructed View, that Everton star Dominic Calvert-Lewin could be even better if he had a strike partner playing alongside him.
It is hard to imagine the England international could go up another level after netting eight goals in seven Premier League appearances this term, but the ex-Toffees manager believes that he would improve further if he was playing in a two-striker system.
“I still have the opinion that he could be even better with somebody up front alongside him, but I would never doubt Carlo Ancelotti’s judgement, that’s just my own personal opinion and football is all about opinions,” Royle said.
“Like I say, it’s great to see him scoring so many goals from inside the box; Alan Shearer hardly ever scored a goal from outside the box, one of course was a vicious volley against Everton, but he’s learning all the time and I’m delighted for him.”
We certainly see where Royle is coming from.
Calvert-Lewin’s incredible aerial prowess would make him an interesting option in a traditional big man, little man combination, but as Royle says, who are we to question Ancelotti?
The Italian has certainly managed to get a lot out of the striker so far, hence why he’s joint-top of the Premier League’s scoring charts. While playing two up front may make Calvert-Lewin better, you have to think about the dynamics of the whole team.
Ancelotti is a three-time Champions League winning manager, and he has Everton fourth in the table at the moment, so he may want to keep things as they are.
However, if England are looking to make Calvert-Lewin a key part of their team in the future, this may be an avenue Gareth Southgate wants to explore with the Three Lions.
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