DOM IS IN A TOUGH SPOT
Ancelotti won’t let Calvert-Lewin take penalties to help his Golden Boot bid
EVERTON boss Carlo Ancelotti says Dominic Ca l v e r t - Lewin can get even be better – but warne warned he will not begivenpena be given penalty duties to boost his c chances of winning the Golden G Boot. The star strik striker sits above a roll- call of world- class goalscorers at the top of the Premier Lea League scoring charts, with 10 goals from 10 games, and an a impressive minutes-per-g minutes-per-goal ratio of 88. But as he pre prepares to face the physical challenge of Burnley, Anc Ancelotti ( left) offered the En England striker a few words o of advice. “He can im improve – for a striker to kee keep consistency it is about scoring goals,” said the Italian of his 23-year-old hitman.
“So I know he is going to have moments when he will not score as frequently as he does in this moment. But, for a striker, it is consistency that is needed to continue to score goals, even then.
“I told him he can improve. More I think, outside the box – control the ball, he can be more clinical. It is not easy because they mark him powerfully, but there he can improve.”
Ancelotti showed his serious side as a top manager when he insisted Calvert-Lewin will not be taking penalties for the Toffees – even though he grasped the chance to perform the job with England in Harry Kane’s absence.
Brazilian striker Richarlison was given the job on the only occasion Everton won a spot-kick in the Premier League this season, against Crystal Palace in September. Ancelotti said: “As I said, I am not so focused on whether he is able to win the Golden Boot.
“I am not focused there. I am focused to help the team to win games, not the Golden Boot – it is not our target.”
The Toffees need to stop a poor run of form that has seen them win just one of their last six Premier League matches and drop from top spot to a rather more humble eighth. Ancelotti said his defence must do better.
“We have to be more focused defensively. We have to find the right balance between attacking play and defensive play,” added the former Chelsea and AC Milan manager.
“I talked to the players and they had the same idea I have, that we have to be more balanced.
“This is the key point: we are really good in front of goal because we score a lot of goals.
“We are one of the teams who score most goals, but we have conceded too many.”
‘He can improve, it is about scoring goals so I know he’ll have moments like this’