Frank Lampard
Everton boss Lampard has praised Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s mental fortitude and is hopeful the Everton striker can remain fit over the course of the season. Calvert-Lewin opened his account for the season when scoring Everton’s opener on Saturday in the latest positive step as he looks shake off recent injury woes. The 25-year-old only managed 17 Premier League appearances last season and was dealt a fresh setback when suffering a knee problem in pre-season. Aware of the difference the forward can make for the club when available for selection, Lampard is prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure his star man has the best chance of leading the line for the Toffees on a consistent basis.
Frank Lampard said: “He has been great. When I say that, throughout the period of time I have been here, he has a real desire to be playing regularly and showing what he can do. He has done everything he can do, which can sometimes be frustrating, but has handled himself in the right way. When you take a few knocks like that, and I know it myself as a player at times, they can knock you back and you don’t feel like you are contributing to the team. Those things are hard to handle for any player and, looking back on it, I actually think he has handled them very well to get to a place where he should enjoy his moment last week when he shows an individual performance like he did. It’s now a maintenance issue of trying to keep him in that level.”
