Everton have already suggested that sales might have to be made this summer, but likely, despite a looming PSR punishment, it will remain on their own terms.
Jarrad Branthwaite’s future remains the outstanding question mark hanging over Goodison Park, whilst a transfer for Amadou Onana looms too ahead of Euro 2024.
These are the club’s most sellable assets, after all, and would likely fetch a handsome fee for a club completely hamstrung by financial woes.
However, Sean Dyche will likely be hoping to ensure that, should he be forced into a major departure, a solid alternative will be waiting on their transfer list.
Of all of the players the 52-year-old manager has at his disposal though, and could well lose this summer, Dominic Calvert-Lewin would arguably be the toughest to replace.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will not join Chelsea this summer
During a summer in which he and Kevin Thelwell had to operate shrewdly in the market, both Beto and Youssef Chermiti were employed as alternatives to the English striker who had suffered with unrelenting injuries.
It kind of felt like their arrival offered mitigation if those issues persisted, and yet despite his fitness returning, his form did not for large parts of the season.
And yet, neither of those new arrivals could usurp him, showcasing how highly valued he is to Dyche.
So, it will be music to his and Evertonians’ ears given what The Athletic has noted, with their latest report simply reading: ‘Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been linked with a switch but is not heading to Stamford Bridge.’
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is so important to Everton
If Dyche can see how important Calvert-Lewin is to Everton, then that must reaffirm the notion.
Even James Rodriguez, who only actually spent one season supplying the 27-year-old, was left impressed with the former Sheffield United star, as he once noted: ‘He’s a player always willing to score, he’s hungry to score goals.
‘That’s a great thing because all strikers are always looking for opportunities to score. I think he’s the same.
‘He’s also a very young player, but still, he seems to be so ambitious. He’s hungry to score. I hope this year he’ll score 30 goals.’
Unfortunately, Calvert-Lewin would not score 30 goals, but an impressive Premier League tally of 16 for the 2020/21 campaign spearheaded a season filled with promise.
And despite only notching seven last season, his proficiency in the air, speed and relentless chasing, and hold-up play, make him a crucial asset for the Toffees. When compared to other forwards in Europe, he ranks in the top 6% for aerials won per 90.
To lose him would be a hammer blow, as neither Beto nor Chermiti are ready to step up and star like he does with such consistency across the board.