WATCH YOUR BACK, HARRY!
Calvert-Lewin’s heir to Kane throne, says Steven
DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN will pile pressure on England skipper Harry Kane, says Everton legend Trevor Steven.
The Goodison forward has been in impressive form this season with 19 goals in all competitions for the Merseysiders. And he grabbed a double in England’s 5-0 stroll against San Marino at Wembley on Thursday.
But with Kane (below) also firing on all cylinders, Calvert-Lewin looks destined to play second fiddle to the Tottenham talisman at the European Championship this summer.
Steven, who was capped 36 times for England, reckons the Everton man can still flex his muscles, though.
“He’s going to play a major role for England,” 57-year-old Steven (below) said. “Kane is the No.1 choice, but it’s still there for Dominic to grasp. Nobody else can get in his way if he keeps playing like he can do.
“There’s a confidence about him now – along with a boldness and courage. I remember in the Merseyside derby where he was so willing to take on Trent AlexanderArnold.
“He’s got the right mentality and I love the way he plays. He’s got the kind of ability that Kane has, with some real quality on the ball, and he’s also very good in the air.
“But he’s now learned how to hold up play, bring players in, and drop into space.
“He’s more knowledgeable about his role but is still remembering to get into the penalty area. If anything he’s now got more desire to get into the penalty area than Kane.
“Calvert-Lewin has come on leaps and bounds and he’s a massive asset to Everton. I see him staying in and around the England squad for years if he’s in this form and he’ll put plenty of pressure on Kane.
“He could take over from him if he keeps going on in the manner he has done. His style seems to be the perfect fit. It’s the way he moves – he looks like an England player to me.”
It was only after Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival at Goodison Park that CalvertLewin started to find his groove in an Everton shirt. And Steven says the Italian chief – along with assistant manager Duncan Ferguson – deserve huge credit for his development.
“For Calvert-Lewin this was going to be a make-orbreak season and from the start of the season he’s taken his chances,” said Steven who made more than 200 appearances for Everton in the 1980s.
“He’s been guided by the staff – and probably Ferguson has got a lot to do with that. He and Ancelotti have taught him how to play centre-forward in that Everton team.
“Calvert-Lewin has come up trumps and he looks like a player who is maturing every game while still scoring plenty of goals.”