Cristiano Ronaldo
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has lauded Cristiano Ronaldo as the ‘best player in the world’ and revealed the Manchester United forward was a player he has studied during his career. Calvert-Lewin was in awe of the 36-year-old’s “willingness” and “work rate” as United answered some critics with a thumping win at Spurs. Calvert-Lewin, who is currently sidelined through injury, was speaking on Monday Night Football, analysing how Ronaldo peeled off defender Ben Davies before rifling a right-footed volley into the far bottom corner.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin said: “I think with the goal that Ronaldo scored there it’s a one-vs-one battle with the defender and as soon as he gets on the blindside of the defender, he can see his number. I think he takes two steps backwards from Ben Davies, the moment he [Davies] tries to squeeze up and he doesn’t go with Ronaldo, it’s only subtle but he gets himself onside and the goal’s already scored. Fantastic technique but he’s won the battle as soon as he gets the wrong side of Ben Davies.”
The goal was Ronaldo’s fourth in the Premier League since he returned, while his contributions on Saturday saw him become the oldest player since Didier Drogba to score and assist in a league game.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin added: “It’s a fantastic technique, he’s got his eyes on the ball, he’s also got an unbelievable willingness to score the goal as well, he’s always trying to get himself into positions. As players move in and everybody’s watching the ball, he’s thinking ‘how can I score’ and that’s what allows him to that extra – it’s so fine that margin, it could be a split second and that extra bit of space to work for himself. He’s been at the top, he’s the best player in the world. I think it’s due to his work rate and his willingness to get better, keep scoring goals. As a centre forward people tend to not get as excited as the one-touch finishers and the ones inside the box but for me as a centre-forward, I love to see it, it’s an art, a craft, he’s obviously studied his craft and gets himself in positions which is no coincidence. I have done, yeah [studied Ronaldo], I think even now he’s still playing in the Premier League, he was always someone I looked at, I ask myself ‘how does he get himself in these positions’ it always starts as I say 10 seconds before the goal.”
