It sounds like Crystal Palace is actively considering Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a potential signing this summer. They are looking to fill the number nine position, especially with Odsonne Edouard likely leaving. Calvert-Lewin could be a key target for them in this transfer window.
It appears that Crystal Palace, alongside West Ham, has shown significant interest in Dominic Calvert-Lewin as they aim to strengthen their squad this summer, particularly in the striking department alongside Jean-Philippe Mateta. However, despite Dougie Freedman’s enthusiasm for this potential move, there may be reasons why it might not be the best decision for Crystal Palace:
1. **Financial Considerations**: Signing a player like Calvert-Lewin could involve a substantial transfer fee and potentially high wages. Crystal Palace must weigh this against their budget and financial strategy.
2. **Fit with the Team**: While Calvert-Lewin is a talented striker, his style of play and adaptation to Crystal Palace’s tactics and team dynamics should be carefully assessed. Ensuring he complements existing players and fits into the manager’s plans is crucial.
3. **Long-Term Strategy**: The club needs to consider whether Calvert-Lewin aligns with their long-term goals and development plans. They may have alternative strategies or younger players they wish to prioritize for growth.
4. **Competition and Alternatives**: With West Ham also interested, there could be competition for his signature. Crystal Palace should evaluate other potential targets and ensure they have backup options if a deal for Calvert-Lewin doesn’t materialize.
5. **Managerial and Squad Stability**: Given potential changes in managerial staff or player departures, the club must ensure any new signing fits into a stable environment conducive to success.
Each of these factors plays a critical role in determining whether signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin would be the right move for Crystal Palace this summer.
It appears that Calvert-Lewin will be moving this summer, and Everton is probably expecting to pay £40 million for him.
At 27, Calvert-Lewin has already spent a significant amount of time in the Premier League, having made 213 appearances and scoring 54 goals.
This is a deceptive return, though, since he scored 19 goals in the Premier League in just 69 appearances in 2019–20 and 2020–21.
Since then, in 66 games over the last three seasons—including seven in 2023–24—he has only managed 14 goals.
Calvert-Lewin struggled for extended stretches of time and lacked a true cutting edge when attacking, and his injuries haven’t made matters better.
Oliver Glasner’s transformation of Mateta from being inferior to Calvert-Lewin to extraordinary is the one factor that elevates this transaction above ordinary.
But for £40 million, it’s a huge gamble, and the Eagles have a ton of better choices up front to bolster Glasner’s possibilities.
Calvert-Lewin is as traditional a striker as they come; he really finds it difficult to get the ball to his feet and thrives in physical play.
This is evident from the fact that he only completed 56.4% of his passes, which suggests that he wouldn’t exactly fit in well with Glasner’s system because he wouldn’t participate in the build-up.
His seven goals last season came from 12.9 anticipated goals (xG), according to FBRef, indicating he isn’t particularly lethal in front of goal. He is also not particularly creative, ranking in the 37th percentile for shot-creating actions (2.24).
Palace could acquire a far better striker—and, more significantly, one who would be a better fit for Glasner—for the amount being demanded.
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