Chris Sutton has weighed in on Sean Dyche’s decision to drop Dominic Calvert-Lewin from the Everton lineup for their recent defeat against West Ham, suggesting that the manager may have finally lost patience with the struggling striker.
Speaking on the BBC Sport Monday Night Club podcast, Sutton commented on Everton’s disappointing 3-1 loss to West Ham, where Beto, who started in place of Calvert-Lewin, both scored a goal and missed a penalty.
Sutton speculated that Beto’s inclusion over Calvert-Lewin indicates Dyche’s frustration with the 26-year-old’s lackluster performances. He noted that Everton’s hopes for the season were heavily reliant on Calvert-Lewin’s form and consistency, given his proven goal-scoring ability and leadership upfront.
While Calvert-Lewin began the season well, Sutton observed a decline in his performance as the season progressed, suggesting that Dyche may have grown weary of waiting for him to regain form.
Despite expectations for Calvert-Lewin’s pivotal role in Everton’s survival, his struggles in front of goal have been evident, with over 20 games passing since his last goal for the club. Sutton attributed Calvert-Lewin’s poor performances to a lack of confidence, a critical issue that the team cannot afford to overlook given their precarious position.
Beto’s impactful performance in Calvert-Lewin’s absence underscores the need for Dyche to make bold decisions regarding team selection, particularly with crucial matches on the horizon. With Calvert-Lewin failing to deliver, Sutton suggests that Dyche’s patience may have finally reached its limit, prompting a necessary change in the lineup for Everton’s upcoming fixtures, including their clash with Manchester United.
