Dominic Calvert-Lewin should be used to pressure at Everton. Ever since he joined the club from Sheffield United in the summer of 2016, there has been a spotlight on the forward.
Ronald Koeman first gave Calvert-Lewin a run in the first-team, but it often felt like the Dutchman had doubts over whether he could play up top. The former Blues boss used Calvert-Lewin in a variety of positions down the right, including at wing-back in a Premier League game against Stoke City.
And while it was Koeman who handed Calvert-Lewin his first-team debut, it was Marco Silva who showed the faith and trust in him as a centre-forward. However, securing an opportunity is one thing, proving yourself to be good enough is another, just as the 25-year-old found out.
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Shrugging off the mounting pressure, Calvert-Lewin proved he belonged in the top-flight, with Carlo Ancelotti, the man who replaced Silva at the helm, turning the forward into the goalscoring number nine he has become.
But Everton supporters have seen very little of that goalscoring number nine over the past year. After netting 21 goals in all competitions during the 2020/21 season, Calvert-Lewin spent four months out between September and December last term with a quadriceps injury before returning to fitness.
However, another injury was then picked up following the arrival of Frank Lampard in January. But the England international delivered when his side needed him most, scoring the goal that secured Everton’s top-flight status as he headed home the winner in their 3-2 comeback victory over Crystal Palace in their final home game of last season.
A day on from last season ending, the former Blades man shared a message on his Instagram page, in which he revealed some off-field issues he has had to contend with throughout the course of the campaign.
But with a full pre-season under his belt, which included a goal at Goodison against Dynamo Kyiv, the forward looked ready and raring to go. But rarely is anything that straightforward at Everton.
Just days ahead of his side’s opening game of the season against Chelsea, the Blues were rocked by the news that Calvert-Lewin would be out for six weeks with a knee injury. His absence deepened Everton’s problem in attacking areas going into the start of the new campaign.
The Blues lost star man Richarlison to Tottenham Hotspur during the summer, meaning they started the season with Salomon Rondon as their only recognisable forward.
Anthony Gordon was the man chosen to lead the line against Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brentford and Leeds United, with Rondon given the nod against Nottingham Forest. While new signing Neal Maupay started in the 0-0 draw with Liverpool earlier this month.
Maupay was brought in towards the end of the summer window with Lampard desperate to bring in reinforcements in the forward positions following a stuttering start to the campaign in front of goal. But after scoring just eight times for the Seagulls last season, the 26-year-old is not exactly the prolific forward Blues fans would have been hoping for.
Which is why the return of Calvert-Lewin to training last week would have brought a huge smile to the faces of everyone connected to the club. The hope will be that the 25-year-old can immediately hit the goal trail - although the reality may be different.
In normal circumstances, Calvert-Lewin may have been afforded time to get back up to speed with things and ease his way back in, but these aren’t normal circumstances for Everton, who face the prospect of heading into the international break without a league win, should they not claim all three points against the Hammers on Sunday.
Many Evertonians believe, and it is easy to see why, that Calvert-Lewin is crucial to their side having a strong campaign. Privately, Lampard and his staff probably feel the same way, with the forward’s ability to score goals set to be crucial in the Blues avoiding another relegation battle.
Although there is rightly optimism around Goodison following some impressive displays so far this season, with a number of new recruits earning plenty of praise, the lack of goals scored is certainly a worry - and in many ways is the reason why Everton find themselves without a Premier League win.
Calvert-Lewin, who could return for the Blues against David Moyes' side this weekend, may have coped with every Everton challenge that has previously been thrown at him, but he’s about to feel pressure like he’s never felt before.
And it's not just Calvert-Lewin who will be feeling pressure as his possible return could lead to the biggest question hanging over Everton’s season being answered. The answer of which will go a long way to defining the remiander of the club's season.
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