The influence of Cristiano Ronaldo on his fellow Premier League stars has been laid bare by Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Ronaldo has been in blisteringly hot form since he returned to Manchester United at the end of the summer transfer window, scoring seven goals in 10 games in all competitions.
He played a key role in United’s win over Tottenham on Saturday, scoring a stunning volley before providing the assist for Edinson Cavani ’s strike which settled the game.
The Portuguese international has also been a veteran face for United’s young squad to look up to and learn from, with many of United’s attackers still only at the start of their careers.
But it is not only members of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ’s team who are learning from the 36-year-old, with Calvert-Lewin revealing he is also taking tips.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo the best player in the Premier League? Comment below.
Calvert-Lewin has emerged as one of the deadliest strikers in the Premier League, scoring 21 goals for Everton in all competitions last season.
Like Ronaldo, he had started this campaign in stunning form, scoring three goals in his first three games.
But he has been ruled out with a fractured toe since the start of September, with the Englishman still some way from returning to action.
That has allowed him plenty of time to analyse Ronaldo’s performances, with Calvert-Lewin particularly impressed with his goal against Spurs.
Ronaldo allowed Bruno Fernandes ’ cross to drop over the head of Spurs left-back Ben Davies before firing a volley past Hugo Lloris and into the far corner.
And Calvert-Lewin hailed Ronaldo’s movement as being the key reason for opening the scoring on Saturday night.
“I think with the goal that Ronaldo scored it’s a one vs one battle with the defender,” Calvert-Lewin told the Monday Night Football show on Sky Sports.
“It’s fantastic technique but he’s won the battle as soon as he’s gotten on the wrong side of Ben Davies.
“As players and the ball is moving, he’s thinking how can I score. He’s the best player in the world and it's due to his work rate and his willingness to keep scoring goals.”
The Everton star also revealed that he has been studying Ronaldo for some time, in the hope that he can pick up some tips from the Portuguese superstar.
“As a centre-forward, I love to see it. I’ve studied him and someone I’ve always looked at,” Calvert-Lewin added.
“Thinking how has he got himself in these positions. You spend a lot of time watching players in front of you.
“You might appear at the right place at the right time but you’ve got to ask yourself how did you get there.”
Calvert-Lewin’s next chance to learn from Ronaldo will come on Tuesday night, when United travel to Atalanta for the fourth game of the Champions League group stage.
Ronaldo has scored three goals in the three games United have played so far, scoring the winners against Villarreal and Atalanta at Old Trafford.
