DOM’S
Watching Henry & Drogba boosts Cal
DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN hopes to turn himself into an Everton goalscoring legend by studying the past masters.
From Goodison heroes of old like Dixie Dean, Joe Royle and Bob Latchford to Premier League legends Thierry Henry, Sergio Aguero and Didier Drogba, the Toffees striker aims to learn from the best.
He has even got another Premier League hero in his corner in the shape of ex-Everton striker and current Finch Farm first-team coach Duncan Ferguson (right) as he bids to shoot down Bournemouth when the teams go head to head this afternoon.
Calvert-Lewin, 21, admits he is hooked on watching YouTube clips of Henry and Drogba to pick up more goal-poaching tips.
“As a young kid one of my heroes was always Thierry Henry. I think you’d agree that he was a top player in the way that he played.
“It was always something which I looked to and I think he was a really good player
– one of my idols when growing up.
“There was also Didier Drogba. Watching him as a young kid in the
Premier League, I think he had a little bit of everything. He could finish and had strength and pace. He had every aspect to his game.
“Do I see myself as being like that? I’d like to think so, yes.
“With exposure on the pitch and experience,
I believe that I can bring all those aspects to the game.
“If I was going to watch anyone on YouTube it would be Henry and Drogba.
“There are top players in the Premier League like Harry Kane and Sergio
Aguero who are doing it now.
“But I think having YouTube and being able to model your game on players like that, watching very closely, has had a big effect on young players now expressing themselves on the pitch.” All things point to a successful future for the Sheffield-born forward who has already helped England become Under-17s world champions two years ago.
Everton fans love their centre-forwards and in Ferguson, Calvert-Lewin is learning from one of the Toffees’ finest.
He said: “They’re big boots to fill but I’ve got Duncan Ferguson every day with me on the training pitch, helping me on my game.
“It’s a pressure that I quite like and I think that I can grow into. It’s only going to make me a better player.
“Over the last year, having filled out a little bit and naturally grown a bit more, with the physical side of the game there’s nobody better to go to than Duncan.
“That was his game – aerially and with his back to goal. I think me receiving the ball to feet this season and being more reliable, I’ve got to thank Dunc for that. “In terms of finishing, he just says, ‘Stick to what you’re good at. Don’t try and change if you’re in a certain area – just stick to it through repetition and you’ll find the back of the net’.” Calvert-Lewin’s stature is growing by the game and the Everton star definitely does not see himself as a kid anymore. He added: “I think you have to be a senior player when you’re leading the line for Everton. You’ve got to grow into your shoes and carry that weight on your shoulders. “So if I’m big enough to be exposed in that situation then I’m old enough to take whatever comes with it – that’s the way I kind of see it. “With the new stadium and the way that the club is talking, it’s exciting for anyone to be at the club but especially someone like me, who at my age hopefully has got a career in front of me.”
Everton v Bournemouth, Today
Sky Sports Main Event,
2.15pm