Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has opened up on the ‘subtle’ changes from manager Carlo Ancelotti which are making a positive impact at Goodison Park.
Despite losing their previous three games, Everton still made a remarkable and unprecedented start to the season as they won their first seven games of 2020/21, a feat unsurpassed in 125 years of the club’s history.
Calvert-Lewin has arguably been the cornerstone of that success, having managed 11 goals in all competitions so far this season.
Despite Ancelotti reportedly not altering Calvert-Lewin’s play other than instructing him to position himself closer to the goal, the striker insists that the Italian’s arrival at Goodison Park has ushered in a cultural shift that has proven critical to the Toffees’ success. He said to the Liverpool Echo:
“Carlo’s top. He’s very much a people person. He came with a reputation of being a good man-manager and to work with him in the flesh, I could see that straight away.
“He has an aura about him – a friendly aura, he makes you feel comfortable. He lets you enjoy what you do.
“I’m enjoying my football now more than ever – day in, day out – and then when I step on to the pitch I think that shows.
“It’s showing in my goals return. I think tactically he’s brought experience and great knowledge to the club.
“For me as a young striker, you think of the players he’s worked with in the past when he’s giving me advice.
“He gives it in different ways, subtle ways. You see some of his quotes towards me – it’s a nice way to take things on board. I take everything he says on board.”
Ancelotti’s style of man management has clearly rubbed off on Calvert-Lewin, who used a telling metaphor to explain the impact that the 61-year-old has made on him:
“He wants me to improve. He’s on at me every day – every day – to keep getting in the box, hitting it first time, scoring goals. I’m just like a sponge taking it all in.”
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Calvert-Lewin’s insights should make for pleasant reading for Evertonians.
It is evident that Ancelotti’s personal touch is influencing the 23-year-old for the best as he seeks to educate and build up his players to achieve their full potential.
