Everton head coach Frank Lampard thinks Dominic Calvert-Lewin playing for England at the World Cup is “absolutely realistic”.
The striker netted his first goal of the season over the weekend as Everton beat Crystal Palace 3-0. This was only his second start of the 2022/23 campaign as he has struggled with injuries.
Lampard has challenged Calvert-Lewin to force his way into Gareth Southgate’s thinking before the manager announces England’s squad for the World Cup on November 10.
“It’s absolutely realistic,” Lampard said “Without a doubt. He’s shown he can be there before at major tournaments, scoring goals for his country.
“One of the benefits he has is that Gareth will know exactly what he can do, and now Gareth has seen him at a level last week which is towards the level he can attain.
“Now it’s a nice little challenge for Dom to show he can continue that form and then the question is Gareth’s as to whether he wants to take him or not.”
Calvert-Lewin has had a rotten injury record in recent seasons. A broken toe suffered three games into last season kept him out until January and he missed more time with muscular injuries as Everton battled against relegation.
He returned in time to hit the winning goal against Crystal Palace that kept Everton up in their penultimate game of the season but then missed the start of this campaign with a knee injury.
“He’s been frustrated but he’s handled himself the right way,” Lampard said. “When you take a few knocks like that, I know as a player myself, it knocks you back.
“You don’t feel like one of the group and individually you feel like you’re not contributing.
“I think he’s handled himself very well and he should enjoy his moment in last week’s performance. Now it’s about maintenance to keep him at that level.”
Everton’s medical department have worked closely with Calvert-Lewin on his training regimen, trying to isolate reasons why he has suffered setbacks in the past and finding ways to minimise those risks.
The hope now is that Calvert-Lewin can return to the levels of the 20/21 season, when he scored 21 goals in 39 games for Everton, while also bagging four in 11 for England.
“If we can keep him fit he’s a huge player for us, a huge reference at the top end of the pitch,” Lampard said. “He gives us nice options now with Neal Maupay who has come in and been really positive.
“Dom, with his attributes and what he can do, allows you to work in…
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