Frank Lampard has warned clubs circling around his star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin : ‘He’s our player and he’s going nowhere’.
The England forward has cut a forlorn figure this season, with no goals since the opening fortnight of the season, and recurrent injury reducing him to just six starts since the new boss arrived in January. With the Blues fighting relegation in a disastrous campaign, that has prompted speculation he will seek a fresh start elsewhere in the summer, with the likes of Manchester United and Arsenal previously linked.
Yet victory this weekend over Brentford at Goodison Park will dramatically ease fears of the drop and go a long to securing Everton ’s Premier League future - and their striker’s presence next season. Lampard, for his part, insisted he wants Calvert-Lewin to stay. “He is a fantastic striker, a pedigree striker and there are simply not that many around,” the manager explained.
“He has three years left on his contract, and I want to take this club forward. A player of Dominic’s can help that - he is our player and that’s it.”
Lampard revealed he has been in constant dialogue with the European Championship finalist, as he has tried to nurse him back to fitness following a difficult campaign which saw Everton plunge into the bottom three, until just a week ago.
And he explained that he has heard nothing from the striker to suggest he will attempt to force a move in the summer. “He has not said anything to me like that, he trains well, we communicate a lot and he’s not said anything,” he said. “I’m not silly - this is football, so I am aware of the way things can go.
“Dominic’s been a big player for Everton, and Everton have been big for him in his career, so that should be the story.” Everton have two home games in the next five days, and four points - from fixtures against Brentford and then Crystal Palace would be enough to secure their Premier League future, with such a massive goal difference advantage over Leeds.
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But Lampard doesn’t want his players to take their eye of the ball now they are edging closer to safety, and he has told his side: “It’s vital now, absolutely crucial, that we invest everything in keeping up the intensity to the end of the season.
“We have got ourselves in a good position, but it is so important now we don’t relax, and keep pushing to get the job done.
“It is up to us to get it over the line, and then after the club will look at ourselves, to see how we improve ourselves. We are already looking at things, in terms of signings, and other areas.” Lampard could have Ben Godfrey in his squad for Sunday, but Fabian Delph, such an important player in recent weeks, is out.
