Calvert-Lewin signing new 5-year deal

Don't get me wrong, I hope the lad becomes a star, but I don't see it in him at the moment. Lookman on the other hand does have clear natural talent.

Personally I don't rate him as highly, but I'm happy to see Koeman giving young lads a chance... especially seeing as our season is pretty much over.

A decent prospect but has he really done enough for that? He must have one hell of agent.

I would love to see him and Lookman play together as a 9 and 10 – just to see what we really have on our hands. However, I must admit to liking the lad, he has something about him.

I like Calvert-Lewin, I think there might just be something there – given time. Works harder than Rom for starters and can actually win a header.

I'd like to see more of Lookman too. He has that selfishness and confidence about him that can change games.

He reminds me of the very young Graeme Sharp who would not have looked much good himself if played out wide at 20 years old but what a player he became.

Hopefully he will progress and with Joe and Dunc on the staff he has the right mentors.

Physically he can hold his own with the toughest of defenders and he has shown strength of character to bounce back quickly from the ankle injury he suffered on his full debut versus Southampton.

I expect him to be in the team for the early rounds of the Europa League. 㿔k is a lot of money but in this day and age it is no more than the average Premier League squad player would expect. If Calvert-Lewin maintains his current rate of progress this will prove a sound investment.

Makes me wonder about the Barkley situation... More and more worried that he is off in the summer.

From what I've seen of him so far I'd be very surprised if he gets many starts in he next couple of years.

Just like the Gibson and Barry extensions, mind boggling.

£40k a week ffs!

Apart from the season we had with the self-absorbed goal-machine Lineker (the season we won nowt by the way) the goals when Sharpy played were also spread out between his ever changing strike partners, Trev, Sheeds and Kevin Richardson (whose scoring ratio was better than either of the more famous twosome by the way!) and Sharpy, a crafty grafter on top of his scoring duties, was recognised by most as the catalyst for a lot of them.

What are you basing this on? Richardson's scoring ratio for Everton was not better than Steven's or Sheedy's. At Everton Richardson had an average of 1 goal every 6 games whereas the later two had an average of 1 in 4.

He is very strong and quick and his ball control is good, he could be a real find when played in his proper position. Let's not forget is is just 20 years of age.

Ron sees him every day and is obviously suitably impressed.

I know there is a lot of money for Premier clubs but its only 5 years ago that our top earner was getting 㿲,000 per week.

Liverpool have a reserve player Stewart, he hasn't played many times, it was reported over the weekend a club wanted him and were quoted as ready to pay 㾶M for him.

Yes, it's crazy but is today's price for footballers.

I think Dom would benefit greatly from a season-long loan at a Championship club next year. I'm still surprised at the new contract though.

'will'?

Is that definite?

Not 'could see his wages bumped..' or 'might see his wages bumped..' etc?

Just curious as to where that (very specific sounding) detail has come from.

Thought he started well against Chelsea, and showed glimpses. Played in his natural position, he might flourish.

If Calvert-Lewin is on £40k, I hope Davis is on at least double that.

(Still think that if RK had subbed in Lookman instead of DCL, we would have won that damned game.)

I'm trying to look at this as a sort of investment in that they are currently banking these appearances and the learning for the future of themselves and the club.

Hopefully it will pay off, maybe next season as part of a stronger set up.

I continue to live in hope!

Okay so that was 20 years ago but in my industry wages are not quite double what they were 20 years ago if you're in the high end. Many earn about the same as 20 years ago.

So given that we pay Premier League wages via gate receipts, TV money or through buying stuff from advertisers, how long can this continue?

I'm completely indifferent to the money. They get paid the going rate.

I can also see hes decent in the air, and quick, he lacks power but at 20 that will come.

Based on our missing champions league quality centre forward in the last month or so, the undroppoble, unsubbable one should have made way for DCL in the last 10mins of games, allowing Lookman into left wing. Lets see at the very least him given a proper opportunity at CF? Not like anyone else is pulling up trees right?

Is Koeman damaging the lad making him play left midfield almost left back in some games? Lets face it our manager loves a dour defensive set up.

Lookman was played there against Bournemouth and was shredded at left midfield and was culpable for one of the goals, not been seen again much has he?

Thats what worries me, DCL, Lookman or anyone else asked to play in a front three always end up been defensive, yet the art of that formation is to occupy the back 4 and defend higher up the park. Either the players can't play to instructions or thats what their orders are. As we've played several people up top with Rom its feels like the latter to me.

Hope see DCL and Lookman play an attacking role in the last three games.

I hope he will gain a lot of experience from being played out wide for now, and that it will help him if (as seems quite possible by now), Lukaku either goes this summer or EFC needs to train someone to eventually shift into Lukaku's position if he leaves the next summer!

Athlete, good feet, great attitude, intelligent.

I'd love to see him given a go in the central role – I think he will surprise a few people.

Hope not!

Decent pace and decent in the air but I'm not sure about his finishing: he's missed a few including a bloody header against the shite that would have put us 3-2 down with 20 mins to go.

I want my strikers to score goals above everything else (which is why I don't dislike Lukaku aside from his inability to turn up for matches that matter).

Wish we had a team that could beat the shite. But I'm going off on one.

Good luck, Dominic. Prove me wrong, son.

Paul (47) if you mean the UKIP fella, I don't know if he is minted, but I think he is minty.

He may even turn up against the top 6 sides.

Not sure it Moyeseque playing Calvert-Lewin out of position but what I do know is there is a ready made able young inside forward in Lookman who has been kicking his heels.

Is the bigger crime here playing a player because he is more defensively reliable or not trying to use a more offensive player who would make defending less likely because he has the ball?

Koeman that.

I agree but the money is so crazy now I think we just have to overlook it; otherwise, we will drive ourselves insane with envy.

Guessing your insights on brain surgeons would read – They just make an incision, fiddle about, close it up, piece of piss.

Re Calvert-Lewin, the bit you omit (nb: the most important bit) is that the player's coaches and manager see him each and every day and over a period of time (months, years) use their professional judgement to decide whether he's good enough or not.

Not a science, I admit, and no guarantees of success (the case with any player) but for now, I'll take their reading of the player's abilities over your summing up.

(And I've still yet to see any proof of £40k a week.)

Some of the criticism is harsh. He is a striker who has been asked to match up and chase left wingers and wingbacks. It's a similar scenario to when Holgate gets stick, or Davies is labelled "headless".

This manager gets credit for playing kids (when he has to). He's playing regularly selecting three at the moment, but he is playing them all out of position. Holgate a centre back, is playing right back. Davies a DM being asked to play further forward. and then there's Calvert-Lewin himself.

Perhaps if Lukaku does go, Koeman thinks he has a ready made replacement in Liam Walsh... All three of these kids have equipped themselves fantastically but, as already pointed out above, this "square peg, round hole" lark is all very Davey Moyes.

This is a good bit of business, but the kid will not really shine until he is playing for somebody who doesn't play him everywhere but his natural position.

Let's face it, Lukaku is off and I'm sure Koeman knows a £1 million buy from Sheffield United's academy is not going to replace him.

Hopefully he will get a chance to play in his right position in the cup games, or Europa League games when we have already qualified. Posters on here might be pleasantly surprised by his heading ability!

He has had a few cameos and looked okay, no more or less, or am I missing something?

I hope the the lad proves and justifies his wage increase – then you can moan when the lad wants to play for a bigger football club who play Champions League. Let's see what happens before you judge, eh?