Chris Sutton says £1.5m Everton player is ‘sensational’ but he’s lost all his confidence

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Finding the back of the net has proven to be a massive issue for Sean Dyche and Everton this season.

Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Manchester United was another example of the Toffees lacking a cutting edge in front of goal despite dominating large parts of the game.

Per FotMob, Everton registered 23 shots compared to United’s 15 on Saturday lunchtime. However, with only six on target, the Toffees’ goalscoring issues were again laid bare.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin started on the bench and was introduced with just over 30 minutes of play remaining.

It’s been a difficult season for the 26-year-old, and Chris Sutton has tried to explain why while talking on BBC 5 Live’s Monday Night Club.

Chris Sutton drops verdict on ‘sensational’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Sutton has claimed Calvert-Lewin is a player who has “everything” despite his poor form.

“Dominic Calvert-Lewin has virtually everything which you want as a number nine. He can run in behind, he can link play, he can hold the ball up, he’s sensational in the air. You think of some of the headers he’s scored previously. There aren’t many better headers of football than Dominic Calvert-Lewin,” he said.

However, the former Celtic striker believes he has lost all confidence and is overthinking in front of goal.

“For whatever reason, this season, the longer the season has gone, his confidence seems to have been sapped, and I can only compare to times in my own career, as soon as you start to overthink and hesitate, then you’ve had it,” he added.

“I suspect that’s what’s happening to him. There’s that little bit of doubt, and he needs to somehow get that confidence back.”

What is going wrong for Dominic Calvert-Lewin?

It may only take a goal, but something needs to go in for the striker, who Everton signed for £1.5million in 2016.

Per FotMob, the 26-year-old’s xG (expected goals) currently sits at 9.26, over six more than his current output.

He is severely underperforming, which indicates that his finishing ability is letting him down. However, the numbers also suggest that a goal is potentially just around the corner should he return to the starting XI.

It may only take one to hit the back of the net to see Calvert-Lewin enjoy a more prolific end to the season. His team certainly needs it.