Everton manager Sean Dyche could make a brutal decision on Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s first-team future at Goodison Park after new summer signing Beto enjoyed a superb debut against Sheffield United.
The striker joined the Merseyside club on a four-year deal from Udinese, as per the official Everton website (29 August).
The 25-year-old became the Toffees’ fifth signing of the summer transfer window after the arrivals of Ashley Young, Arnaut Danjuma, Youssef Chermiti and Jack Harrison and after just two appearances in an Everton shirt, Dyche may have already found his perfect striker solution.
Beto was their saving grace against Doncaster Rovers on 30 August in the EFL Cup, coming on after half-time to heavily contribute to their nerve-racking comeback win scoring a superb goal to finish off a well-worked Everton move.
The lightning-quick Portuguese hitman then followed that up with an impressive and complete all-round performance in the 2-2 draw with Sheffield United on Saturday (2 September), highlighting just why Dyche spent all of £25.75m on his services [Sky Sports, 29 August] to address their burning issues in attack.
Over his 90 minutes on the pitch, Beto registered 49 touches, four shots, one big chance created, and completed six of his nine dribbles, but also contributed heavily to the Everton defence, winning eleven of his total duels, while also registering three clearances [SofaScore].
It was a complete showing from the former Udinese striker providing Everton fans with an optimistic reminder of what it’s like to possess a striker capable of influencing all phases of their play.
Beto’s performance drew stark praise from BBC pundit Ian Wright.
Speaking on BBC’s Match Of The Day (2 September), the former Arsenal striker was awestruck by the Blues’ new forward after his performance, praised Beto’s hold-up play, his ability to link up with his teammates and some “beautiful” moments on the ball but has urged his teammates to create more opportunities for him.
Wright said: “I think, at the moment, and the performance he put in today is very, very promising. I thought he showed aspects of everything.
“I’d like to see more chances for him. I don’t think they created enough for him. In respect of his link-up play and his hold-up play and causing a real problem, a physical presence.
“He did everything. This is what Everton are going to need, somebody who’s going to hold it like this. Brilliant play here coming off the defender, beautiful ball coming onto a runner.
“What we want to see from him now is a couple of chances, and see him take them.”
And after that showing, Beto may have forced Dyche to make a brutal call on Calvert-Lewin who may now longer become his guaranteed striker in the long haul.
The England international’s recurring injury issues have become such a frustrating sight for the Toffees fans that they’ve almost forgotten how good he really is. The 26-year-old still remains on the treatment table, after he was withdrawn early in the match with Aston Villa on Sunday (20 August) following a clash with Emiliano Martinez.
Calvert-Lewin’s scheduled return date from the facial injury suffered against Villa is “unknown,” as per the official Everton website, a prolonged period that could cost him his guaranteed place as Everton’s focal point in attack.
What could cost Calvert-Lewin his Everton place even further is Beto’s tremendous durability and availability, he’s only ever endured one long injury lay-off in his career which only spanned 45 days, back in April 2022 after a muscle injury [Transfermarkt]. Altogether, he’s only suffered three injuries, and the other two were short-term which doesn’t spell good news for Calvert-Lewin who’s now known to be an unreliable commodity in the Everton team.
After Saturday’s development in regards to Beto, Dyche may have already made a brutal call on Goodison Park’s favourite son. A new fan-favourite has now stolen the spotlight.