Ex-Everton CEO worries his old club are regretting allowing this one player to leave

Everton’s problems up-front could have been solved had Dominic Calvert-Lewin remained at the club, according to Keith Wyness.

The former Everton chief executive, speaking to Football Insider, reflects on what could have been for the Toffees.

Calvert-Lewin was allowed to leave the Merseyside club last summer when his contract expired, with Premier League rivals Leeds signing the striker on a free transfer.

The 29-year-old has proved vital for Leeds, scoring 13 Premier League goals this season, as the Yorkshire club maintained their Premier League status in their first season back in the top flight.

Everton are set to be in the market for a new forward this summer, with Beto and Thierno Barry both having had their struggles in-front of goal this season.

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Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Calvert-Lewin is now pushing for a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad thanks to his form at Leeds.

Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks that the striker has been the “difference” for Leeds this season, and he could have made a similar impact at Everton.

He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “I keep thinking about what would have been if Dominic had stayed at Everton.

“I keep wondering. That’s what I keep thinking about. Those goals would have been very crucial for Everton this season.

“But he has shown he’s still a talent. He’s shown that he’s still competing for an England place. I like Dominic.

“He’s a talent, he’s got a good eye for goal, and for Leeds, and he’s been the difference for them this year.”

Whilst Everton’s hopes of European football this season are not quite over, extra firepower could boost David Moyes’ aspirations of bringing UEFA competition to Hill Dickinson Stadium in the future.

With other areas of the squad also needing to be strengthened this summer, Moyes may need to be smart in the market to get what he wants.

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Everton have joined the race for Joshua Zirkzee, who is set to leave Old Trafford.

Zirkzee has only started five Premier League games this season, and the 24-year-old has yet to show his full potential at Man United.

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