Dominic Calvert-Lewin has shared his reaction after hearing Rafa Benitez’s message around Everton’s crossing habits this season. The striker was in fantastic form for his side throughout last term, bagging 21 goals in all competitions in what was his best return in senior football. Many of those goals came from one touch inside the box as Carlo Ancelotti transformed the 24-year-old into a poacher inside the opposition area.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin said: “That is what I want to hear. I’ve worked hard to get into the position I am in today so to hear the new manager has come in to try and create more chances for me to score more goals it is music to my ears. I think you saw today with some of the crosses that I received that I flicked on or just didn’t quite get there to. I think it is good signs of things to come. As a centre forward every season you have to prove that you can do it again and again. Last season I proved that I could score goals and this season I have to go and do it again. It’s a challenge that I’m looking forward to and, you know, you will always have people that doubt you but that is something that I thrive off and I take it on to the pitch with me to prove to people why I am where I am and where I’m going.”
Benitez was given a warm reception from Everton fans both before and after the final whistle despite some controversy surrounding his appointment as the club’s new boss in June. And Calvert-Lewin has claimed that the change in manager doesn’t affect his, or the side’s, ambitions throughout the course of the coming term.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin added: “I think the goals don’t change, regardless of the manager. As a club it remains the same – we want to win and we want to be right up there with the best teams in the league. That feels like a long time ago now [Carlo leaving] so it is not something I’ve really given thought to in a long while and I’m more looking forward to playing under the new manager in Rafa and learning as much as I can to continue improving and continue scoring more goals. I am absolutely delighted to come back with a goal. That’s what I was thinking about last night, that was how I wanted to start the season. I had three weeks off but that is what you have to deal with as a player, I’m not complaining. I love playing football and I was excited to get back in front of the fans which was a special moment for me.”
