Kevin Campbell has urged Dominic Calvert-Lewin to have thicker skin following a difficult period at Everton.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, the pundit offered Calvert-Lewin advice on dealing with the criticism from supporters after he opened up on being booed by the Everton faithfuls.
Despite previously attracting interest from the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle United, the striker’s career has gone rapidly downhill in recent years due to a number of injury problems.
Calvert-Lewin has only made 37 appearances in the Premier League over the last three campaigns and has managed seven goals, encouraging a lot of frustration around his position at the club.
The England international was booed after he was forced off with yet another injury against Aston Villa last month, however he took it on the chin and admitted that ‘football is a funny old game’ after he was applauded at the weekend.
Calvert-Lewin scored his first goal of the season as he put Everton 3-1 up against Brentford last time out and he is now hopeful he can reignite his career.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be ‘feeling like a king’
While very happy for Calvert-Lewin, Campbell has advised the forward to toughen up if he is to succeed as the Toffees’ number nine.
When asked how he can deal with supporters’ criticism, he told Sky Sports [27 September 10:25): “A thick skin. You need a thick skin.
“If you want to be that number nine, you’ve got to take the good with the bad and also take the ugly.
“Coming off at Villa when he did his cheekbone, it looked like the whole world was falling down. He’s struggled with injuries and couldn’t stay fit
“But that feeling of coming on and scoring a first Premier League goal of the season to help the team win makes a massive difference to the confidence.
“You hear fans cheering your name. That is the balance – sometimes it’s imbalanced, but Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be feeling like a king right now.”
Receive a digest of our best Everton content each week direct to your mailbox
