Idrissa Gueye has hailed the return of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and revealed what Sean Dyche’s message has been to his Everton side in recent weeks.
After two months out because of the latest in a series of frustrating injuries that have scarred recent seasons, Calvert-Lewin finally returned to his side’s starting line-up for the away game against Crystal Palace last month.
Calvert-Lewin has only made 14 Premier League appearances for the Blues so far this season after another campaign that has been plagued by various knocks. The England international also only managed 18 appearances in all competitions last season.
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However, the 26-year-old forward won and dispatched the opening goal from the penalty spot in Monday night’s 2-2 draw at Leicester City; the goal was Calvert-Lewin's first since his return from injury.
And asked about the return of the forward, Gueye said: "It’s fantastic Dominic is back. He looks more than 100 percent fit, and we all know within the club how important he is to us.
"The fact he’s come back and he’s out on the field—that’s fantastic. We know he wants to help the team as much as he can, and that’s great for us.
"The manager loves that type of player who is prepared to run, work hard, fight for the ball, and score goals. We appreciate that as a group of players as well.
"We love to work with Dominic. We need his performances right until the end of the season, but it’s not just Dominic in the attack.
"We have plenty of others who can make the manager’s choice a difficult one, but in a good way. We have other attackers who can make a difference between now and the end of the season, too."
Everton are in serious danger of being relegated for the first time since 1951, having collected one win from their past 10 games. That run of form has left the Blues inside the bottom three with just four games left.
Dyche took six points from his opening three games, but his record over the past 11 matches reads eight points won, 10 goals scored, and 22 conceded. But despite his side's poor run of form, Gueye, speaking to evertonfc.com, has revealed the message from his manager hasn’t changed from when he first arrived at the club.
He said: "He’s a really cool guy. He’s a cool manager. I think one of the reasons he was brought in was because he knows how to manage these situations.
"He’s been in similar situations before, and I think that’s why the club decided to bring him in. The smile he has and the confidence he has have managed to bring a renewed energy to the club.
"Not only is he instilling this joie de vivre, but he’s also giving us an intensity to go right to the end. We have to fight until the end. There’s time for looking at the table at the end of the season, but not currently.
"The training sessions have been great, and they’re filling us with hope and energy ahead of each game. His mantra is 'the minimum requirement is maximum effort,' and that’s at all times. We must give it our all for the rest of the season."
Next up for Gueye and his side is a trip to the Amex to take on Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday evening. The Seagulls are flying high in the Premier League and comfortably swept aside the Blues 4-1 when the two teams met at Goodison Park back in January.
"There’s no surprise to me that Brighton are doing what they do," Gueye replied when asked about Roberto De Zerbi’s side. "I think that despite the change in manager, they’ve kept the same structure at the club.
"They’ve kept the same style of play. They concentrate on bringing through young, talented players, and they’ve managed to have a great run of form.
"They run hard, they play a really good style of football, good touch on the ball, and I think they are very confident at the moment. I think that always plays a part, as we know the change in regime hasn’t affected them in a negative way, and I think it’s really good.
"They are and have been a threat to the bigger clubs within the Premier League. A challenge to that kind of team is good to see. I think it’s positive when other teams come in and challenge the big four, five, or six."
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