Everton late Dominic Calvert-Lewin U-turn revealed, it’s proved a costly mistake
Everton may be rueing the events that led up to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s exit last summer after he scored yet again for Leeds United.
The Toffees shared discussions with the striker before his departure, but failed to come to an agreement that would have extended his nine-year stay at Goodison Park.
Calvert-Lewin’s final years at Everton were littered with injuries, but at Leeds this season, he has managed to avoid any major issues.
As Daniel Farke’s side beat Burnley on Friday, the 29-year-old scored his 12th Premier League goal of the campaign and went just one goal away from equalling his second-best ever seasonal tally.
Everton transfer chiefs signed Thierno Barry to replace Calvert-Lewin, in a decision that has aged poorly.
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Both Beto and Thierno Barry have struggled for consistency this season, with David Moyes constantly rotating between the two.
| Stats – Premier League 2025-26 ( | Dominic Calvert-Lewin | Beto | Thierno Barry |
| Appearances | 32 | 33 | 34 |
| Goals | 12 | 8 | 6 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 14.4 | 8.21 | 6.82 |
| Shots | 69 | 38 | 35 |
| Fouls won | 37 | 11 | 7 |
| Duels won | 171 | 122 | 137 |
The Scot would have been delighted had one of the two shown the levels that Calvert-Lewin has this season, but he may well be part of the reason why they lost him last summer.
According to The Times, Everton had offered the striker a four-year contract at the end of 2024, but the deal was withdrawn shortly after the January 2025 return of Moyes.
The former Manchester United boss was open to keeping Calvert-Lewin at the club, but when discussions took place before the end of his contract, the terms on the table had changed.
Ultimately, Leeds presented the 29-year-old with a fresh start elsewhere, and he has grasped it with both hands.
His 12th Premier League goal of the season was a classic striker’s finish, capitalising on Martin Dubravka’s parry to tap home his team’s third.
Just twice in nine seasons did Calvert-Lewin hit double figures in the league for Everton, and not since he netted 16 in the 2020-21 campaign.
Europe could have been on for Everton
Looking at Everton’s team this season – the danger on the wings in Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish, and the immense technical ability of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and James Garner in midfield.
It feels like a team that Calvert-Lewin would have very much enjoyed leading the line in.
Moyes was open to the striker staying, and discussions did take place before the England international decided to call time, but the way Everton went about it likely confirmed his decision.
It is easy to look back in hindsight, but the Toffees were staring at a sizable contract for an injury-prone striker who had scored just three Premier League goals in the season prior.
It was a decision that made sense on paper, but as is the way with football, it is also a decision that they have paid for.
Everton remain in the race for European football this season, and they may well have achieved it already if Calvert-Lewin had stayed.
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