There's little doubt that Everton desperately missed the influence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin last season.
You could argue that there was no real point throughout the 2021/22 campaign that the striker was actually fully fit. Having entered the campaign with a toe issue, he still scored in his opening three matches before being ruled out for months with an quadriceps problem.
The second half of the term was, in the end, blighted with false hope. Almost as soon as the England international was back and ready to start matches again, he picked up a new issue that might keep him on the sidelines for days or weeks at a time.
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Many believed that the problem was Everton were rushing their man back to action a little too often, with their hand being forced by the dire league situation they found themselves in. They needed goals to pull them away from the bottom of the table and Calvert-Lewin has often been the answer to that in recent terms.
Thankfully, the England international was fit for the penultimate game of the campaign - as it was his diving header that secured a dramatic three points which kept the Blues in the division. While many hoped that might signify the end of his troubles and a look ahead to more consistent game-time, that has not been the case.
Frustration has continued right up until where we are currently. Confusion still persists as to whether the 25-year-old will be available for the match against Southampton this weekend or not.
Frankl Lampard was rather coy when asked about the situation, saying: "It’s more making sure that Dominic is in the best condition. We have had a look at his plan and looked at some of his training to make sure he is in the best possible shape.
"I need to think: 'Is he ready to start again? Should he be coming on?' It’s all worse off the back of an injury and it was a difficult little injury that he had. It’s not playing it safe, it’s playing it with due care. My feeling is that he may be all right for the weekend but, with another week, we will get him even stronger."
So what do you read into that? Will Calvert-Lewin be in the squad at St Mary's or will he be left out in a quest to keep him fit for the coming weeks?
Thankfully this time around, the risk is different for Everton. They're not embroiled in a relegation scrap with a desperate need for a saviour, instead recent matches have seen them build an exciting and coherent system without their lead forward being available.
Neal Maupay is a different kind of frontman and Lampard has managed to adapt his side well against Liverpool and West Ham United to feed into the way the former Brighton striker plays. His link-up with those around him has been strong, particularly when Alex Iwobi has ventured forwards from the midfield to create chances inside the final third.
And, of course, all Maupay needed was one chance last time out to find the back of the net. His turn on the edge of the box and quick reactions to slam the ball into the back of the net were stark reminders of the quality he can bring to Goodison Park and why Lampard was so keen to secure the services of the Frenchman.
Granted he doesn't replace all of the strengths that Calvert-Lewin brings to the side. They're two very different players in that sense, and Everton do still miss the physical presence and poacher instincts of their No.9.
However, it does make things different to last season. There is a strong alternative for Lampard to lean upon right now, and so that lessens the pressure to bring Calvert-Lewin back into the fold.
Of course the Blues want to have their whole squad fit as soon as they possibly can, but given the issues Calvert-Lewin has had recently, then why take the risk? You can certainly understand why the manager and his staff possess an air of caution around this entire situation.
If there's even a slight doubt on the striker's fitness, it might well be best to leave him out and make sure he is fully recovered this time around, to give him the best chance of returning properly. That being in a way that's not just beneficial for the player, but the squad as a whole too.
The Blues are lucky enough to be in a position where they're not solely dependent on Calvert-Lewin's goals, they can afford to be a little more patient this time around.
If another week on the sidelines means he stays fit for the rest of the season, then it's a no-brainer. If only football were that simple, however.
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