MAJOR SCAR TO SUPERSTAR BARNES STORMS INTO LIONS DEN
Calvert-Lewin: I got headbutted in the face on Boxing Day playing for Stalybridge Celtic when I was 17. It toughened me up and taught me what to expect ever since
DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN points beneath his left eye and moves his head slightly towards the camera.
“I don’t know if you can see,” he says. “I’ve still got the scar from the first 20 minutes of playing for Stalybridge.”
It was Boxing Day, 2014, 17-year-old Calvert-Lewin was on loan from Sheffield United and was making his debut in a nonLeague derby against Hyde United.
“From a throw-in, I went to flick it on and I flicked my head one way and he’s gone ‘ bang’ and head-butted me in the face. So I knew from pretty early what was required,” he said.
“I played the rest of the game with one eye because this one closed up. I went on to score two goals in that game and it was a good experience and I enjoyed getting beaten up, to be honest.
“I’ve always enjoyed the physical battle.”
Calvert-Lewin is very much your modern young professional, making the pages of glossy magazines for his visit to New York Fashion week earlier this year. But in many ways, h he is a throwback, a throwback to the th days when English football was th the spiritual home of th the towering header header.
“You could say a it is a dying art,” said Calvert-Lewin. “A lot of games are played on the grass with tiki-taka football.
“I enjoy being a presence in the box. If you can get the ball in, there is always a chance I can head the ball into the net.
“People are quick to pigeon-hole a player and say he is this or he is that – he’s a target man or a spinin-behind man. But, for me, I like to think I can bring different aspects of the game – and heading the ball is one of my strengths.
“If you hang it up, there is a strong chance I’ll win it and that can bring a different outlet and a different way of scoring.”
His old-school heading ability has certainly served him well this season, with a soaring winner at Tottenham (above) in the opening game, and another in the victory over Brighton at the weekend helping him to six Premier League goals in four games.
He is now the established, striking focal point of Carlo Ancelotti’s game plan, a fact that has buoyed his self-belief to an even greater extent. “When he came in and said he was having g me as a No.9 and was not interested ed in bringing in anyone else, it was another confidence boost,” added Calvert- Lewin, who recently studied a 15-minute reel of the striker Ancelotti compares him to, Filippo Inzaghi.
“Carlo has definitely had a positive influence on me. I’m evolving as a centre- forward, learning my craft.
“I was guilty of doing a lot of my best work away from goal – now I’m focused on getting between the sticks and putting the ball into the back of the net.
“I think that analogy from Carlo is more an emphasis on being in the right place at the right time.
“Not to say I’m a carbon copy of Pippo Inzaghi but if there’s elements of his game that I’ve been showing, it’s one- touch finishes and being in the right place to score.”
With England facing a Wembley triple- header against Wales, Belgium and Denmark, CalvertLewin is certain to make his senior England debut. And his only regret will be his father Karlda will not be there to see it in person.
Calvert-Lewin says: “I know he’s the proudest man on the planet at the minute. I’m very grateful for his backing and one thing he has always said is just believe in yourself and believe in your ability.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from. It’s about backing yourself and believing you can get there. The only disappointing thing is my family can’t be there to watch.”
HARVEY BARNES has taken a leaf out of his dad’s book to get his first senior England call-up.
Leicester midfielder Barnes has been a consistent performer in the Premier League and has been on Gareth Southgate’s radar in the past.
But he believes adding goals to his game has been the key this season.
His father Paul (right) is a former pro, a striker who banged in goals with the likes of
York, Burnley,
Bury and Doncaster – and they are beginning to run in the family.
Barnes, 22, admits he did not score enough in the past but hit seven last season and was on target at Manchester City last month in front of Southgate.
Barnes said: “My form with Leicester over the past six months or so has definitely improved.
“Goals has come with that as well which has been important for me because, as an attacking player, you need to have that in your game otherwise you’ll never be as effective.
“I’ve been very pleased with my progression and this season I feel like I’ve started well. I wasn’t expecting what’s happened
with England but I’ve been hopeful with playing well, and
I’m really happy to be here now.
“Most of my dad’s goals were from in and around the six-yard box I think he’d be happy to say.
“I think those sort of goals just come from me, from a young age, picking up things and using my natural ability.
“Scoring goals is something I want to keep adding to my game but to also have that vision and ability to score those sort of goals. It’s something I guess I’ve always had.”
Barnes admits having an ex-footballer as a dad was both a help and hindrance growing up.
He added: “It’s a bit of both, good and bad. I feel like he is going to be the most honest opinion I’m going to get after a game, which I think is important. You can’t always just get the positives, you need to know when you need to improve.
“But when I’ve done well he is always the first one to tell me. I feel like he is massive help for me.
“Of course, h having played as many game games as he has and scored as many goals as he has, he has definitely guided me – es especially during the ear early part of my career. When I was on loan he helped me a lot and pushed for tha that.”