A new era has begun at Everton after the Friedkin Group finally sealed their takeover of the club earlier this week.
The Toffees are now owned by The Friedkin Group, who officially bought Everton from Farhad Moshiri on Thursday.
It was a turbulent nine years under Moshiri, who has spoken about returning to watch a game at the new Everton Stadium.
Fans are elated about the takeover and are optimistic that the Friedkins will now set course for exciting new pastures, and the club back to where it needs to be and far away from the relegation zone.
There has been a lot of struggle in recent times.
This term it’s been a real slog once again, especially in the final third.
And one man who’s struggled is Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who former striker Jermaine Beckford dropped an interesting verdict on this week.
Beckford claims Calvert-Lewis has grown ‘comfortable’ at Everton
Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Everton FC at Emirates Stadium on December 14, 2024 in Lond...
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Calvert-Lewin has come in for criticism this season, amid Everton’s struggle to score goals.
The Toffees have managed just 14 so far in the Premier League, with four of those coming in one game against struggling Wolves.
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So far, Calvert-Lewin has chipped in with just two goals, his last coming on September 14 against Aston Villa.
This follows a haul of just seven in the league last season, and for former Everton striker Jermaine Beckford, Calvert-Lewin might have grown a tad ‘comfortable’ at the club in recent times.
He said (via BBC Sport): “He’s a fantastic football player when he’s giving 100%. When he trusts his body 100%. And when he’s got the trust and belief from the manager and his teammates.
“That’s started to come back a little bit this season. I think that’s because he’s got a little bit more pressure on himself from Armando Broja, Beto’s there as well.
“The bigger issue for me is that players like Calvert-Lewin have been at the club a long, long time. Without realising it, I think he’s getting comfortable. That’s a scary and dangerous place to be, because you don’t realise you’re not giving 100% every single week. You feel like you are.
“But you’re not doing the things you used to do. He has been injured quite a bit and maybe that’s a part of it. I do feel like he does need more of a challenge from the players that are around him. And maybe, maybe even a change of scenery as well. Just to keep himself on his toes to get the best of himself, to believe in himself just that little bit more.”
Will Calvert-Lewin leave Everton?
It’s interesting to hear this assessment from Beckford about Calvert-Lewin and some will be inclined to agree.
It’s been tough for him over the past few seasons, but he remains the number one striker at Goodison Park, perhaps due to a lack of strong competition.
Beto has been underwhelming, so Calvert-Lewin has been able to get away with sub-par showings and still keep his place. And this term, Armando Broja has been injured, although the Albanian is now back in the picture.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin for Everton (2016-present)
Appearances – 262
Goals – 70
Assists – 19
Beckford’s suggestion about Calvert-Lewin moving on is interesting to consider.
We know he’s out of contract at the end of the season, and Calvert-Lewin has just been linked with Fiorentina.
Arsenal were also recently linked with Calvert-Lewin.
Given he is now 27 and has several clubs interested in signing him, it would be no surprise if he wanted to explore a new adventure. However, the club having just been taken over might mean he’d be keen to stick around.
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