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| Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Everton at Emirates Stadium on May 22, 2022 in London, United Kingdom. |
Frank Lampard could be left with a
major selection headache for Everton’s opening match of the Premier League season against Chelsea.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin picked
up a knock in training which has put his participation in Saturday’s clash at
Goodison Park into serious doubt.
The 25-year-old made a flying start to last season
but then had much of his campaign disrupted by injury, only returning for the
final few matches to help Everton avoid relegation to the Championship.
After being left out of a pre-season win over
Blackpool as a precaution, Calvert-Lewin returned against Dynamo Kyiv and
scored in that match, showing no signs of any injury problems.
But Everton’s medical staff are now assessing the
striker after his latest setback, which comes just a few days before the
Premier League gets up and running.
His absence is even more problematic for Lampard now
than it was last season. Richarlison, who stepped up as Everton’s main-man for
much of the campaign, has left for Tottenham, while Salomon Rondon is not
available to face Chelsea as he serves the final match of a three-game
suspenion for a red card.
It leaves the Toffees potentially going into the
season with no senior striker. Dele Alli may be called upon to play as a false
nine, or the likes of Anthony Gordon and Demarai Gray could be used in more
central positions.
