Muhamed Besic has told the Liverpool Echo that Dominic Calvert-Lewin can be a 20-goal-a-season striker for Everton, so long as Rafa Benitez only plays the forward in a central role.
The Bosnian has backed his former Toffees teammate while addressing his own future, as Besic remains a free-agent. Everton released the midfielder at the end of his contract in June after spending seven years at Goodison Park.
Besic has not played competitively in more than a year as Carlo Ancelotti omitted him from his 25-man Premier League squad last season. Yet the 28-year-old still believes he can play for any team, so long as he is given the chance to exclusively play in his best position.
It is a similar situation for Calvert-Lewin, who Besic believes is far less effective for Everton when not playing striker. Since making his Premier League debut in 2016, the 24-year-old has featured across the Blues’ frontline. But it is at centre-forward where he shines best.
“If I play as a #6 for six-months, then I can come back and play for any team you want,” Besic said. “But it has to be as a #6. To get the best out of me and judge me, it has to be #6.
“Calvert-Lewin, when he plays right-wing, he is not the same player. You put him in the centre where he belongs, and he scores 20 goals-a-season.”
Calvert-Lewin has scored 42 goals and 13 assists in 149 Premier League games with Everton over the past five-years. He has found the back of the net once in each of his two outings already this term. As he seeks to build on last season’s personal-best return of 16.
Besic sends Benitez warning over Everton star Calvert-Lewin
Besic has reason to back Calvert-Lewin to be a 20-goal-a-season player at Everton if Benitez plays him exclusively at striker. He has burst out of the blocks on fire once again this season as he managed last term. And will now want the momentum to last as it did in 2020/21.
Calvert-Lewin scored seven in the first five games of the season last term, thanks to a hat-trick against West Brom. He also netted against Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, but had a disappointing run beyond game 11. Only manging three goals in the following 16 fixtures.
Avoiding a similar stretch this season should be enough for Calvert-Lewin to reach 20-goals, so long as Benitez adheres to Besic’s warning regarding changing the striker’s Everton role.
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