Calvert-Lewin expects more from England
DOMINIC Calvert-Lewin says there is a lot more to come from England’s attack and is convinced scoreless skipper Harry Kane’s “undeniable quality” will come to the fore at Euro 2020.
The Three Lions set-up Tuesday’s mouthwatering last-16 tie against Germany at Wembley by topping Group D without getting out of third gear.
England’s miserly defence did not concede during an unbeaten pool stage in which Raheem Sterling’s efforts against Croatia and the Czech Republic represented their only goals.
Gareth Southgate and his coaching staff have been focused in recent days on unlocking the potential of exciting attacking options that Calvert-Lewin is sure will come good.
“I think from a creative perspective there’s a lot more to come from us,” the 2017 Under-20 World Cup-winning frontman said.
“I think first and foremost in tournament football it’s important that you don’t concede goals because more often than not the margins are quite small so I think that keeping a clean sheet is very important. But then obviously two 1-0s, you still get the three points but we’d like to be a bit more creative and create more opportunities.
“I think it’s just important that we continue to build on what we’ve been doing and what we’ve been doing in training and what we’ve been working on. It’s important that we stick to our identity and play our game and not kind of cater for anything else.”
Calvert-Lewin, as expected, has been playing second fiddle to skipper Kane during the tournament. The 27-year-old is subject of rife speculation about his Tottenham future right now and the 2018 World Cup Golden Boot winner has yet to find the net this summer.
Asked if he saw last season’s Premier League top scorer and assist maker coming good at the Euros, Calvert-Lewin said: “Of course. You know he’s got undeniable quality and I think he leads the line [well], he’s the captain, so he’s probably the first person people look at to kind of criticise. But, for me, he’s done it consistently for a few seasons now so I’ve got no doubt that he’ll perform on the big stage.”
There would be no better time for Kane to step up then against Germany. The scars of previous tournament disappointments against Die Mannschaft are not a burden for this young squad and there is little chance of them underestimating Tuesday’s opponents.
“They’re well-oiled and they play a certain system more often than not,” Calvert-Lewin said. “I suppose there’s big history with England and Germany playing against each other so maybe it’s that that people think. But we’re not too concerned with that. It’s another game of football, which we’re going to go and try and win.”
Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham has spoken ahead of that match about the governing body’s desire to extend the 50-year-old’s contract beyond the end of the 2022 World Cup.
“I think he’s had a massive impact,” Calvert-Lewin said of Southgate’s work as manager. “I think he’s modernised the way that England play.
“He’s incorporated [young players] – you look at the age range that’s in the team now, there’s a young players but also experienced at the same time.
“I think that the style that we play now is much more modern and he kind of encourages us to play with freedom.”