Jamie Carragher feels it was right for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Everton to part ways - even though the forward has enjoyed a new lease of life at Leeds United.
There may well have been Toffees fans watching on with a rueful grimance as Calvert-Lewin starred in Leeds’ 4-1 rout of Newcastle United last night (September 14).
Not only did the 29-year-old weigh in with a goal, he was a peristent thorn in the Newcastle side with his movement and physicality.
He left Everton on a free transfer in the summer of 2025 and has since rediscovered form at Elland Road, weighing in with 18 goals across 45 outings.
Jamie Carragher has lavished praise upon Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin.placeholder image
Jamie Carragher has lavished praise upon Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin. | Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images & Carl Recine/Getty Images
Jamie Carragher on Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Everton have just one senior forward on their books but Sky Sports pundit Carragher still believes the parting of ways was for the best.
Analysing Calvert-Lewin on Sky Sports, he said: “When you think of the club he left, in terms of Everton, even though he’s doing really well now, it was probably right for him and right for Everton at the time. It had almost ran its course.
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“Everton, as we know, have problems in that centre-forward area. You’re probably looking at him tonight, as an Evertonian, thinking ‘why didn’t we keep him?’.
“For a number of reasons, it was right for him to move on. Sometimes, that just rejuvenates the player. He feels like a different player, or certainly the player we saw at Goodison Park under [Carlo] Ancelotti, when he was outstanding for a year or two.
“But for me, he’s the type of player who when you look at, as an ex-Premier League centre-back, thinking ‘I’m glad I’m not playing now’. He would have been absolute nightmare to handle. His leap...I love watching him play.”
Leeds United v Newcastle Premier League mon 14-09-2026 pic Steve Riding
The South Stand celebrate with Dominic Calvert-Lewinplaceholder image
Leeds United v Newcastle Premier League mon 14-09-2026 pic Steve Riding The South Stand celebrate with Dominic Calvert-Lewin | Steve Riding
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s stellar start to the season
Calvert-Lewin’s form in his maiden Leeds campaign pushed him back into the England fold and he won his first cap for nearly five years in March.
He did not make the Three Lions squad for the World Cup in the summer but is making a case for a recall at club level, with three goals already under his belt this season.
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