Whilst there have been numerous success stories this campaign for Everton, who are seemingly set to finally enjoy a season free of relegation turmoil, few compare to the recovery Dominic Calvert-Lewin has enjoyed.
Having seen his opportunities limited due to numerous ongoing injury issues, the appointment of an intelligent and patient manager has transformed a career that was once so bright, but seemed set to fizzle out.
After all, the former Sheffield United man was once so integral for the Toffees, thus making his absence all the more frustrating. As such, the likes of Rafa Benitez and Frank Lampard rushed to get him back starting, never allowing the 26-year-old to properly heal.
Sean Dyche, the voice of wisdom, has since bucked that trend.
He is now reaping the rewards of a fully-fit elite marksman, with his performances meriting that show of faith.
However, former Everton ace Michael Ball has since suggested there is more to it than mere rest, praising the willpower of the forward whilst writing for the Liverpool ECHO: ‘I can’t tell you how pleased I am for Calvert-Lewin after his latest goal for the club.
‘It has been such a tough time for Dominic over the last 18 months due to his injury setbacks, which have had left us toothless in attack on every occasion.
‘Every game since he has been back in the team, Calvert-Lewin has seemed sharper and fitter. He looks like he is enjoying his football again, which is brilliant to see.
He would then give his own account on ailments, having suffered numerous injuries throughout his career: ‘Being injured as a footballer is so frustrating, trust me. We are frustrated as fans with him being unavailable, as will be the case with Dyche, but no-one will have been disappointed at not being able to be out on the pitch representing the club than Dom himself.
‘Calvert-Lewin’s current run of form is the reward for all the hard work he has been putting in behind the scenes that no-one gets to see or understands. People always say when players are out ‘oh well, they’re still on good money’.
‘It’s not about that, at all. You want to be out there playing. He’s had a lot of stick from fans and he has took it on board, got his head down and is proving just how important he is to the club.’
How is Dominic Calvert-Lewin playing?
Having only managed 15 starts in the last two full Premier League campaigns, already he is well on his way towards surpassing that figure, having started five times this term.
Another thing he has already surpassed is his goal tally from last year too, scoring just twice during the 2022/23 season, only to have already bagged three this campaign.
It marks a blistering return to form for the finisher, who has now started five games in a row across all competitions for the first time in what feels like forever.
The ability to slowly integrate him back into the starting side was born of Dyche’s summer business, as the £30m acquisition of Beto offered that much-needed respite to allow Calvert-Lewin the time to recover free of pressure.
With two fine strikers now vying for one spot, for the first time in years, things are certainly looking up on Merseyside.
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