Calvert-Lewin and the case of Martin Branthwaite

by Fran Mitchell  |   02/03/2023  11 Comments  [Jump to last]

Whilst chatting about yet another abject defeat in which our clear and desperate need for a striker once again dominated the discussion, I remembered the Barcelona purchase of Martin Branthwaite in February 2020.

The Transfer window had already passed, but Barcelona were granted an emergency exception to sign a replacement for the injured Ousmane Dembele (despite the club who lost him them being hamstrung having lost their main striker and no such exception granted to them).

I just wonder, with the absolutely desperate nature of our situation and Dominic Calvert-Lewin's injury, have Everton explored this possibility? I imagine not, but the precedent exists.

There are many examples of clubs signing an emergency goalkeeper in cases of injury. If the club can put a case that the injury (or whatever is wrong with Calvert-Lewin), was worse than feared in January (considering he played in the game against Arsenal at the start of February, then the signing of an emergency striker would be possible).

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Straws… clutching, and all that. But we need a miracle of some sort.

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Reader Comments (11)

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James Flynn
1 Posted 03/03/2023 at 02:36:04
Sure, why not?
Si Cooper
2 Posted 03/03/2023 at 04:28:26
Best to assume that emergency clause can only be used if the player gets a brand new long term injury, not one he’s been struggling with for months.
Then there is the problem of finding someone willing to sign. Personally I think we tried hard in January but had no takers on the terms we can realistically offer.
Jerome Shields
3 Posted 03/03/2023 at 06:24:09
No one wants to be a lone striker at Everton with no supporting forward in a team with one of the worse, for years, final third pass completion rates in the Premiership and a Midfield that is overwhelmed by a opposition high defensive line in the second half, even if they made it till half time. I haven't even mentioned the off field incompetence and shenanigans, that the world knows about.

Dyche has to keep trying. He is making slow progress and there are going to be many twists and turns before the end of the season, hopefully in Everton's favour. Aston Villa are a bogey team for Everton and a defeat at Arsenal was a foregone conclusion.Cody was rested and other players did not play a full match.It will be all systems go on Sunday..Everton are now entering another pattern of two results and a defeat.

Jim Bennings
4 Posted 03/03/2023 at 11:48:51
Everton don't do anything that resembles logic.

If we actually did stay up, it would not shock me in the least if they sit there this summer and put more blind faith in Calvert-Lewin and Maupay for next year and still refuse to sign any strikers or goal scoring midfielder.

Mal van Schaick
5 Posted 03/03/2023 at 12:00:51
It is obviously not working with Maupay, one goal in eighteen matches. Ellis Simms was given a tough introduction in the Derby game, but Dyche hasn’t persevered with him. I would start with him at Forest, and give him an hour, it can’t be any worse than it is, and he played a cracking ball into Doucoure when he played a couple of games ago.

I can’t see the PL, giving us permission to bring in players because of injuries, unless it was a goal keeper. The only other option is to bring in an out of contract player. Weghorst bought himself out to land a United move, may be there isa decent player out there who we could consider.

Barry Rathbone
6 Posted 03/03/2023 at 13:05:55
As a minimum we needed a Kevin Campbell reincarnation at the start of term and couldn't/wouldn't get one.

In conjunction with the financial penury resultant of the BMD financial albatross and Usmanov being persona non grata we are now in relegation purgatory awaiting mathematical confirmation.

The Dyche interview after Arsenal revisited faces of Silva, Ancelotti, Benitez and Lampard the eyes betraying the true terror of reality. The rosied hue of confidence from a few weeks ago now replaced by the greyness of a rain soaked Liverpool Echo listless in the gutter. Blood flow has diminished the spark of life has begun the now familiar retreat.

WHO FANCIES A BIT OF KARAOKE??

Dennis Stevens
7 Posted 03/03/2023 at 13:27:15
Even if such an exemption were to be granted to Everton, which it wouldn't, then I doubt we'd be able to bring in a suitable player anyway.
Danny O’Neill
8 Posted 03/03/2023 at 13:58:33
Barry, to console my wounded heart the other night, I sat up and watched a few episodes of Max and Paddy when I got home from Arsenal to cheer me up.

The episode with the Kareoke almost had me and the dogs in tears. I think they were with me, but they might have just wanted treats.

The rendition of I guess why they call it the blues. And then the first cut is the deepest.

That made my eyes water. How apt to how I was feeling at the the time, even though its a comedy programme.

Alan J Thompson
9 Posted 04/03/2023 at 10:07:04
I would imagine they might ask why we can't find anyone currently out of contract, fitness levels permitting, or loaned out what we had in those positions.

Should you be allowed concessions for being short-sighted, or may be we could ask for some form of compensation for transfers that proved unfit for purpose, which with us wouldn't just be a one-off?

Stupidity knows no boundaries.

Ralph Basnett
10 Posted 12/03/2023 at 07:29:20
They would not have investigated the option of emergency signings as they never intended to spend any money.
Christine Foster
11 Posted 14/03/2023 at 08:43:48
It looks as though Deli Alli won't be turning out for another game in Turkey after failing to impress, decisions obviously made not to buy and so he looks set to spend his time sitting in the stands.
Once assumes he is fit. One assumes also that the club wants rid asap. Our team is crying out for creativity in midfield..
is there a possibility of taking him back before the end of season? We may not want to trigger any payments to Spuds but I think there was another 10 appearances before that happened. Given our situation is it worth considering? It may be a no go if he can only move in a transfer window but just a thought..

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