Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s ears would have perked up on the hour-mark at Wembley as England opened their Euro 2020 campaign with a 1-0 win over Croatia.
The main man in attack for Everton, the 24-year-old is already aware he will not able to enjoy a similar status on international duty with England captain Harry Kane the man ahead of him in the pecking order.
However, as the Spurs striker came within a whisker of doubling the Three Lions’ lead only to collide with the post, Calvert-Lewin faced the prospect of stepping up to the plate.
For one brief moment he could have pondered the possibility of a summer of leading the line for his country in his captain’s potential absence.
Sent out to warm up alongside Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford after Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic called for medical support, Kane belatedly got back to his feet and carried on gingerly in what was an uncharacteristically quiet performance from the forward.
Calvert-Lewin was sent back to his seat and remained there until stoppage-time, with Rashford and Jude Bellingham, the latter coming on for Kane late on, the men turned to ahead of him.
Understandably with England leading, Southgate opted to see the game out rather than chase a second goal with Calvert-Lewin’s late introduction courtesy of his ability in the air to win high balls.
Yet, having scored 21 goals this season, the Blues star will feel aggrieved not to have been granted the opportunity to make more of an impact.
However, that is the reality that faces him this summer. If Kane is fit, Kane will start, with any chance of significant game-time for Calvert-Lewin resting on if England are comfortably ahead or in need of a goal.
Having established himself as first-choice at Everton under Carlo Ancelotti, such a scenario is foreign to him.
Yet, could this situation actually benefit him?
Perhaps if he had had more competition in attack at Goodison, the Blues would have been successful in their efforts to qualify for Europe this season.
After all, an extra goal scorer to challenge any side’s leading striker is always beneficial.
Whoever replaces Ancelotti in the Everton hot seat will now face a similar dilemma.
Richarlison has looked better out wide, Moise Kean wants to depart permanently, Josh King has been released while the unwanted Cenk Tosun remains sidelined.
