Credit: Imago
Credit: Imago

'David Moyes to snub Calvert-Lewin contract u-turn as Everton stat laid bare'

Harri Burton

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Dominic Calvert-Lewin cannot continue as an Everton player as David Moyes looks to rebuild the Everton squad ahead of next season.

The 28-year-old has barely featured for the Toffees towards the back-end of the 2024/25 campaign, suffering from yet another long-term injury that has become an all-too-common trend.

With just three goals and one assist across all competitions, it has been another disappointing season for the former Sheffield United forward, unable to reach double-digit goals since the 2020/21 campaign.

Despite this, Football Insider understands that Everton are doing "everything" to tie Calvert-Lewin down to a new deal, with his current contract expiring at the end of June, and the player now wanting to stay after leaving a previous offer on the table for months under previous owner Farhad Moshiri.

Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Everton are in talks over a new deal for Calvert-Lewin. (Credit: Imago)

Everton to make brutal Dominic Calvert-Lewin decision

There is still time for the Toffees to make the right decision over the striker's future, especially with sources telling Football Insider that Calvert-Lewin is expected to take time over his decision.

It will not be a simple call, given that the 28-year-old has spent the last nine years at Goodison Park, but with a move to Hill Dickinson Stadium on the horizon, now is the perfect time to make changes.

The Friedkin Group's takeover marks the start of a new and exciting era on Merseyside, and with the American franchise's financial status, the Toffees should already be targeting a replacement.

Beto has been a fine servant in Calvert-Lewin's absence this term, notching 10 goals in all competitions this season, but if the Blues are to be taken seriously next season, Moyes needs a dependable goalscorer.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton
Credit: Imago

David Moyes continues to struggle in the final third

Only the three relegated sides scored fewer goals than the Toffees this season, with only Sheffield United scoring fewer last season, and after the latest revelation about Calvert-Lewin, it is easy to see why.

According to The Athletic (26 May), the 28-year-old has scored fewer goals than his Expected Goals stat (xG) for the sixth consecutive campaign, with no player underperforming more than him since 2018/19.

While supporters are excited about the new era under TFG's reign, it is no use continuing with the same players who have thrown the Toffees into a relegation battle for the past few seasons.

David Moyes, Everton
David Moyes must make some difficult changes this summer. (Credit: Imago)

Calvert-Lewin's appallingly wasteful statistics in front of goal speak for themselves, but boasting one of the best defences in the entire division, it is easy to see where the investment is needed on the pitch.

Mick Brown told Football Insider that TFG are planning to back Moyes with four new transfers.

The striker has dedicated the majority of his career to the Toffees, and fans are thankful for that. But, with a total of 21 matches missed through injury over the last two seasons, in what has actually been a significant improvement on the two campaigns before, it is finally time to move on.

While sources suggest that those on Merseyside want to keep the player around for the foreseeable future, those same people need to look carefully at the striker's record and realise investment is crucial.

It can't be overlooked that Calvert-Lewin remained the main man up front through such a difficult period for the club despite numerous fitness set backs.

But if he wasn't ready to commit when the future remained uncertain at Everton, justifiably so, then the club are also within their rights to look for a more reliable finisher now things are looking much brighter.

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