Former Everton striker Francis Jeffers has spoke of the “very difficult situation” facing his old club this summer regarding Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The England international is now into the final year of his contract and has yet to put to paper on the new deal offered to him by the Blues.
That means Calvert-Lewin could walk away on a free transfer next summer if fresh terms are not agreed.
That would be a bitter pill to swallow for Everton, who were in talks to sell the 27-year-old to Newcastle United earlier this summer before talks broke down. West Ham United have also been credited with interest in the Blues No.9 but the recent signing of Germany international Niclas Füllkrug would appear to have satisfied their demand for a new centre-forward.
Calvert-Lewin has developed into a leading Premier League striker during his eight years at Everton, for whom he has scored 68 goals in 248 appearances, with one of his most famous strikes coming at the back end of last season when he planted a towering header past Alisson Becker in the Liverpool goal at the Gwladys Street end to seal a famous 2-0 Merseyside derby victory.
It remains to be seen if that will be his final league goal at Goodison Park and when asked if the Blues should sell Calvert-Lewin before the end of the month if he doesn’t sign a new contract, Jeffers admits it is tricky.
“This is very difficult situation. Ultimately if a deal isn’t going to be reached and DCL is going to leave on a free, then the club do need to get a decent fee for him, given the club’s situation and they can go and re-invest some of the funds in another striker,” Jeffers exclusively told the ECHO, speaking on behalf of William Hill Vegas.
Jeffers, who worked with Calvert-Lewin during his time coaching at Everton between 2018 and 2021, continued: “DCL is a top player, one I have worked with in the past and I like him a lot. Plagued by some injuries, you can see what he is capable of when he has a full season of full fitness. He has played for England and this shows he is capable of being a top Premier League striker, scoring plenty of goals.”
Beto – who has been linked with a move back to Serie A and Atalanta – is likely to start the season as back-up to Calvert-Lewin. Neal Maupay also remains at the club but it is understood he would be allowed to leave if a suitable bid was made.
And asked whether Beto would be a suitable replacement for Calvert-Lewin if he was leave during the transfer window, Jeffers said: “The club must look to re-invest if DCL does leave. Beto is a good replacement. He is capable of scoring goals and leading the line well. He shows good strength and skill and can put the ball in the back of the net.
“However, you must invest in more strikers as just having Beto isn’t enough to compete in the Premier League. Everton is a club with a hugely passionate fanbase and a young striker can relish the opportunity to play for them.”
Jeffers was once just that, bursting on to the scene in the 1998-99 season and forging a partnership with the late, great Kevin Campbell that would help fire the Blues to Premier League safety. He went on to score 20 goals in 60 games before making an £8m move to Arsenal in the summer of 2001.
The former England international, who most recently was coaching with Robbie Fowler out in Saudi Arabia, was also asked about Everton’s transfer business so far this summer, which has seen five players arrive through the door at Finch Farm.
“Transfer business has been okay,” said the 43-year-old. “I saw the highlights of the game against Preston and it was a good run out for the lads.
“The lad from Lyon (Jake O’Brien) has good pedigree, he is the right age and looks to show good hunger and enthusiasm on the pitch, which is what is needed in the Premier League. I like what I have seen so far from him.
“(Jesper) Lindstrom as well looks a good player. He scored a nice free-kick so looks good from dead-ball situations. If he shows this quality week in, week out, then it’s a good signing for the club.”
The Blues managed to overcome two separate points deductions to finish last season 14 points clear of safety in 15th. But uncertainty over the club continues after hopes of a takeover were dashed earlier this summer when the Friedkin Group ended talks to buy out Farhad Moshiri.
It means the Blues go into their historic final season at Goodison Park still unsure over who will own the club once it completes its move to the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock
“Everton must go into the new stadium in the Premier League,” said Jeffers when asked about the club’s aims for the coming campaign. “Avoiding relegation this season is essential, and I am very confident the team can do that.
“The past few years (with points deductions) Everton have flirted with relegation too much and this year it’s important not to have that battle again. So survival is the number one objective for this season.
“Sean Dyche is doing an incredible job, both on the pitch and managing with how the team responded to the points deduction last season. Everton have a squad that resembles one in the bottom half of the Premier League so I believe Everton will stay up and avoid a relegation scrap. I naturally hope for more, but we need to be realistic.”
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