Dominic Calvert-Lewin Everton Chelsea badges
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to start for Everton v Chelsea [Credit: Imago]
Jonathan Burnett
Tue 17 December 2024 15:10, UK
Dominic Calvert-Lewin can count himself lucky that Armando Broja is ineligible to face Chelsea as his dry spell in front of goal continues for Everton.
Having signed for the Toffees on a season-long loan from the West Londoners at the end of August, Broja cannot face his parent club when Chelsea pitch up at Goodison Park on 22 December.
The Albanian international has impressed in two substitute appearances since making his long-awaited Blues debut against Wolves, providing a clear alternative to Calvert-Lewin up front.
With a £30million permanent transfer potentially in the pipeline for Broja, and Calvert-Lewin out of both form and contract this season, the 27-year-old’s starting place could be on borrowed time.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has to show Everton his best v Chelsea
As his contract runs down and his barren spell in front of goal grows in tandem with every passing week, it’s clear Calvert-Lewin is a striker who is a shadow of his former self at Goodison Park.
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While he remains a favourite of Sean Dyche – starting up front in 14 of Everton’s 15 games this season – Calvert-Lewin is on an awful run in front of goal, scoring just twice and not once since September.
Armando Broja
Armando Broja is keen to make a big impact at Goodison Park [Credit: Everton Football Club on YouTube]
His 11 England caps seem light years away based on the striker’s current form, and although benching him for Beto at Old Trafford didn’t have the desired effect, Dyche now has Broja to turn to instead.
Even a suspected January departure for Beto wouldn’t bring many solutions for Calvert-Lewin, given his own future at Goodison is shaky with a contract fast running out and a new deal still yet to be signed.
Dan Friedkin’s incoming takeover could shape the coming contract talks, and if Calvert-Lewin’s goal drought continues against Chelsea, the new Toffees owners may be thinking twice about him being the club’s go-to number nine for much longer.
In other Everton news, a new-look executive team is set to decide Dyche’s future upon Dan Friedkin’s arrival at Goodison Park.
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