Dominic Calvert-Lewin was instrumental in booking Everton’s spot in the next round of the Carabao Cup in midweek.
Ronald Koeman has suggested that Everton youngster Dominic Calvert-Lewin needs to be protected when asked by the club’s official website whether the forward had played his way into the Toffees’ starting lineup for their clash with Bournemouth this weekend.
Calvert-Lewin proved to be Everton’s midweek hero as he scored a brace to inspire the side to a 3-0 win over Sunderland to book the Premier League side’s place in the next round of the Carabao Cup and set up a tie with Chelsea.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
With Everton struggling for goals in the top flight – they had not scored in their previous four games leading up to the game with the Black Cats – some fans may be urging Koeman to give Calvert-Lewin his third league start of the campaign when they meet the Cherries on Saturday.
And while Koeman did not provide a concrete answer regarding the 20-year-old’s chances of starting against Bournemouth, he hinted that he plans to take a somewhat cautious approach when it comes to the England under-21 international.
“But he’s a good player and [in the future] he will be stronger, he will be faster, he will be better. He scored a great first goal, because that’s a really important goal, and the second was a good finish as well and killed the game at that time.”
With Everton not boasting a raft of striker options, starting Calvert-Lewin against Bournemouth seems to be a sensible option as he is clearly capable of finding the back of the net, and boasts the assists for both of the Toffees’ league goals this term.
And while Koeman may feel that leaving him out may be beneficial – if that is what he decides to do – he can surely expect some criticism if Calvert-Lewin finds himself on the bench and Everton fail to score in the league yet again.
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