Mills: Everton handed ‘big’ Calvert-Lewin blow after injury update
The latest setback to Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s quad injury is a “big blow” for Everton, according to Danny Mills.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Man City and England defender claimed Calvert-Lewin has been “integral” to the way Everton play and is their “focal point”.
Rafa Benitez confirmed yesterday in his pre-Watford press conference that the striker has suffered a “re-injury” during his recovery.
The Blues boss added the England international will be out for at least another four-five weeks.
He has not featured for Everton since their 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of August.
Salomon Rondon has led the line in his absence but is yet to score his first Everton goal.
“Calvert-Lewin has been integral to what they’ve been good at,” Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“He’s done fantastically well. He leads the line very, very well. He’s athletic, he’s tall, he’s aggressive, he’s good in the air, he holds the ball up well, he’s got all those attributes.
“Without those, of course, you’re going to miss him. He’s often been the focal point.
“Richarlison has also been out for a little while so that doesn’t help. Doucoure is now going to be out as well.
“You have to manage that, bring different players in, change the tactics slightly.
“Missing your main centre-forward is always going to be a big blow.”
Calvert-Lewin scored three times in Everton’s opening three Premier League games before his injury.
The 24-year-old has now scored 56 goals in 176 games across all competitions for the Merseyside club.
In other news, a medical expert has dropped a ‘huge’ Richarlison prediction after an Everton update.