Dominic Calvert-Lewin: Everton’s No.9 Back in Full Flow

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has established himself as one of English football’s most watchable centre-forwards, and his numbers back up the eye-test. Below, we dive deep into the Everton striker’s profile, seasonal returns and what lies ahead for the Goodison Park talisman.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin Career Overview

Since swapping Sheffield United for Everton in 2016, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has matured from raw prospect to a powerful, penalty-box predator. Across all competitions, he has logged more than 230 senior appearances and cleared the 60-goal mark, making him Everton’s leading scorer of the modern era. His breakthrough arrived in the 2019/20 Premier League campaign, when his 13 goals set the tone for an explosive 2020/21 season that produced 16 league strikes and England recognition.

Premier League Stats Season by Season

2016/17 – Finding His Feet

• Minutes: 393
• Goals: 1
• Assists: 0

2017/18 – Growing Influence

• Minutes: 1,960
• Goals: 4
• Assists: 6

2018/19 – Rotation Role

• Minutes: 1,588
• Goals: 6
• Assists: 1

2019/20 – Breakout Year

• Minutes: 2,730
• Goals: 13
• Assists: 1

2020/21 – Elite Numbers

• Minutes: 2,593
• Goals: 16
• Assists: 0

2021/22 – Injury Frustrations

• Minutes: 972
• Goals: 5
• Assists: 2

2022/23 – Stop-Start Campaign

• Minutes: 1,097
• Goals: 2
• Assists: 0

2023/24 – Return to Form

By match-week 30 he had already surpassed last season’s totals, chalking up 7 league goals and rediscovering the timing and spring that once made him a nightmare for backlines.

What the Numbers Reveal About Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Aerial Dominance

Dominic Calvert-Lewin ranks among the Premier League’s top three forwards for aerial duels won per 90 since 2019, averaging 4.7 victories. That hang-time is a weapon, not only for direct headers but also for knock-downs that create second-phase chances.

Shot Profile

Close-range finishing remains his calling card: 87% of his league goals have been struck from inside the box. His xG per 90 routinely breaks the 0.40 threshold, elite territory for strikers outside the traditional top six.

Pressing & Link-Up Play

Under Sean Dyche, the Everton striker has embraced a graft-heavy remit, ranking in the 75th percentile for forwards in pressures per 90. While his assist count is modest, key passes into the area have doubled since 2020, evidencing improved interplay with Dwight McNeil and Abdoulaye Doucouré.

International Pedigree

Dominic Calvert-Lewin debuted for England in October 2020, marking the occasion with a goal versus Wales. He has notched four goals in 11 caps, all predicated on textbook movement and ruthless heading. A fit, firing Calvert-Lewin will remain firmly in Gareth Southgate’s plans for Euro 2024.

Injury Record and Conditioning

Recurring quadriceps and knee issues curbed his output between 2021 and 2023, cutting his minutes by nearly 40%. Everton’s sports-science staff have since revamped his conditioning: lighter gym loads, individualised acceleration drills and scheduled rest days now keep flare-ups at bay. The early evidence in 2023/24—over 2,000 competitive minutes without setback—suggests the plan is working.

How Dominic Calvert-Lewin Fits Sean Dyche’s Everton

Dyche’s 4-5-1 relies on verticality and wide deliveries. Dominic Calvert-Lewin thrives on early crosses, ranking top-five league-wide for headed attempts. Meanwhile, his pressing urgency sets Everton’s first line of defence, helping the Toffees register the eighth-lowest expected goals against (xGA) tally since Dyche’s appointment.

Tactical Partnerships

• Dwight McNeil: supplies whipped, outswinging crosses.
• Abdoulaye Doucouré: breaks lines, latching onto cushioned headers.
• Jack Harrison: inverts to deliver low cut-backs around the six-yard box.

Their synergy is evident in Everton’s uptick from 0.98 to 1.26 goals per game when Dominic Calvert-Lewin starts.

Future Prospects: Contract, Transfer Talk & Legacy

With two years left on his deal, Everton are keen to extend their No.9 amid rumoured interest from Newcastle United and Arsenal. The striker’s camp cites regular minutes and a starring role as pivotal. Should Dominic Calvert-Lewin stay and eclipse the 100-goal milestone, he would join club legends like Graeme Sharp and Bob Latchford in Goodison folklore.

Key Numbers at a Glance

Career Totals (All Competitions)

• 239 appearances
• 65 goals
• 12 assists

Premier League Highlights

• 210 appearances
• 59 goals
• 11,100 minutes played

England Record

• 11 caps
• 4 goals

Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the Modern No.9 Debate

Traditional target men are increasingly rare, yet Dominic Calvert-Lewin proves that a physically dominant striker can still flourish in possession-oriented systems. His blend of aerial menace, smart pressing lanes and improving link play illustrates the evolving skill-set required of a contemporary No.9.

Opinion: Why Calvert-Lewin Remains Everton’s Biggest Asset

Fit and firing, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is worth double digits in league goals and an extra layer of tactical flexibility. Everton’s survival—and any future European aspirations—hinge on keeping their talisman healthy, supplied and central to everything they do in the final third.