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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Joe Thomas & Adam Jones

Everton face big call over 'chaos causer' who could replace Dominic Calvert-Lewin

'Rondon can be a short term solution'

Joe Thomas: If Dominic Calvert-Lewin is fit he no doubt strengthens the Everton squad. A fully fit and in form Calvert-Lewin walks into any side Frank Lampard puts out.

At the moment he is out of form and, whatever his condition, would not be match fit for Chelsea. With that being the case I think it is too risky to play him from the start.

I believe Richarlison is most effective playing off a target man, preferably out wide. He is a menace to full-backs and it reduces the chance of him simply being bypassed, as he was against Leicester City, or isolated and stifled by two centre-backs with little else to concentrate on.

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Salomon Rondon is not a long term solution for Everton, nor is he a 90 minute one. But against Leicester his cameo was vital. He occupied centre-backs, scrapped in the air and was a threat at set pieces. I like the idea of starting him against Chelsea and being used as a 'chaos causer', whose presence leads to loose balls dropping in the final third for Alex Iwobi, Anthony Gordon and Richarlison - all three of whom have been impressive recently - to feed off.

Rondon up top and Richarlison and Gordon running onto loose balls is the best way to make Chelsea's defensive unit uncomfortable. And if Calvert-Lewin is available he is an obvious replacement for Rondon for a final 25/30 minutes in which he can produce a threat without putting too much pressure on his recovery.

'One goal could turn things around for DCL'

Adam Jones: Among Everton's litany of problems over the course of this season, the most pressing at this time especially is their desperate need to score goals. They need some sort of Kevin Campbell-esque saviour at this point more than ever, and perhaps Dominic Calvert-Lewin can be the man.

He's low on confidence, he's perhaps low on fitness and match sharpness - but sometimes it can just take one scrappy goal to turn things around. The Blues look better with a focal point at the spearhead of their attack, and the England international proved last season just how good he can be at that.

Being a striker really is a funny game, and getting that first one could be the catalyst for more as Everton desperately need to find the goals that will save them.

Calvert-Lewin's strikes have been a massive miss this season, but he could have a few more chances to still prove himself to be the difference in these remaining six matches.

*Where do you stand on the debate? Have your say in the comments section below...

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