Part 2 - Beto: The Beautiful Chaos Everton Never Knew They Needed

More and more I see players making them selves look right dopes by refusing to use the weaker foot, even when it means scoring a goal or clearing danger. Some of them don't seem to know the basics of shielding a ball to beat a man or keep possession. I blame the coaches. I was totally two footed and never gave it a thought. Mind you, I was trained in various styles of martial arts from six, so maybe that gave me an advantage.

Any player in the Premier League who isn't top class with either foot is a lazy, indulged, fucker.

Gareth Bale, as an example, did exceptionally well in his day but I suspect, with the fitness and pace of defenders these days, he may well struggle. I'd put Chris Waddle in the same bracket & he was an England regular.

Re Beto; he strikes me as a poor man's Malcolm MacDonald. Bullied his way past defenders but could definitely finish. I'm 64 by the way, so excuse my examples all being of a certain vintage.

Very one-footed but scored the odd one with his right. But mostly his magic wand of a left foot did the business.

McNeil has a very good left foot. I'm still not sure if he is better on his natural side or cutting in from the right. Either way, he will be important for us from corners and set pieces.

I am a believer that good players should be able to use both feet. But a player will always revert back to their stronger foot.

At the end of the day, we don't really care what foot they use, as long as they find the pass or the net.

Ian, I really like the depth and detail of your analysis. One correction -- they got him two summers ago, not last summer.

And I would add only an additional item in Beto's favor -- improvement. He gets better as time goes on. Partly it's about learning his teammates and building his confidence, but I believe he probably also works his ass off in training.

His touch and his passing still aren't good, but they're better than they were when he was elevated into the lineup.

Still love the way he ran off the pitch against Barca, a fantastic hat trick away at Inter, and then the mike drop bicycle kick against the shite.

Five European Cups, and the fans still gave him stick. A tough crowd.

I thought this assessment was pretty fair, but I think it was a little harsh to mark him down over his decision making. Things have improved under Moyes. Other players are breaking ranks to support the striker, but we do still often isolate the man playing up front. Everton forwards often only have two options. They either have to go it alone or wait or the cavalry to arrive. Not easy.

The Calvert-Lewin saga seems to be dragging on for a ridiculously long time. I thought we'd have heard something by now…

Lots of it seems fair but I'm not convinced Beto is that useful as super sub. The not infrequent times when he has been tried alongside Calvert-Lewin have offered very little this season.

I think Beto is a player who really thrives of confidence and momentum which is why he has looked much more rounded these last 4 games of the season when he had a run of starts. He will always look a little clumsy but there were signs of genuinely decent hold up play as he got consistent starts.

I think he suits Moyes's game plan pretty well when able to add more reliable hold up play to his goalscoring and would be ok with him as our starting striker next year while other areas of the team require more work.

The pursuit of Delap suggests Moyes may not see that as ideal but it could be that just felt like a good financial opportunity. I am not sure how many significant improvements on Beto we will be able to unearth for less than £30M but let's see…

He is given instructions to suit when he plays, putting pressure on the defence and pushing the forward line up. He can hold the ball up, pass and lay off the ball, but the manager's instructions are to get forward when he plays and score. There is nothing raw about his play. He is the product of proper coaching before he came to Everton.

In the Premier League both tactics and more are required. That is why positive counter substitutions and proactive change throught the game are necessary as the formation needs to vary.

In contrast, Calvert Lewin was poorly coached in his youth and at Everton, but has been in the Premier League and has worked hard – more than other Everton recruits – on maintaining team shape and the necessary skills for that.

The expectation of Everton's finishing position has resulted in managers who pursued tactics to more spoil play and grind out results, to the detriment of player development.

Moyes is from that school as well, but can develop a midfield and attack if he can get the right balance in the team. That is the reason he has had a long career in the Premier League. His problem is managing big players and a large squad. But both necessary to win competitions.

Confidence is a major factor. I have no problem with him being our first choice striker next season. We need quality delivery all over the park to help our strikers not just new strikers.

Calvert-Lewin looks fragile compared to Beto. If I was an opposition centre-back I know who I would rather play against.

Paul @4, Are you mistaking Gareth Bale for someone else? Bale had electrifying pace and unbelievable quality.

Waddle was a very good footballers but not in the same bracket as Bale. I know it's all about opinions but Bale is one of the best players produced in Britain over the last 50 years, one-footed or not.

Calvert-Lewin is neat and tidy on the ball, and was established early in his career with Everton and England at youth levels.

Beto came into the game later, with a brief spell at Benfica – but the rest was smaller stuff. His control, layoffs and passing are a lot less polished than Calvert-Lewin, I'd say – and could get found out if he's kept on his left.

But he makes up for it in work rate and desire. He's quick enough, strong, good in the air (I think he could improve if he headed it down more at set pieces etc), and isn't afraid to shoot. He seems to get chances, just there is a lack of quality in taking them.

He will blow hot and cold. One week he will score winners, the next it will be how many did he miss. Critical that someone can share the burden with him.

Yes, he's inconsistent and misses more than he scores. There are few strikers who don't. He get's in the positions to score.

Probably the best I saw was his diagonal run that split the Palace defence to make space for Alcaraz to run at them and slot the ball through to him to score.

He had two very good goals chalked off against Southampton, one a very narrow VAR offside decision. And very nearly got another one, but for a very good save from the Southampton keeper. But he got in the position.

By no means is he the best, but he will score goals for us.

Sometimes, what a player does for the team is as important as goals. His relentless work effort is an example. Desire and passion, even if it doesn't come off.

And he's got a great goal celebration that we all need to practice!!

If so, thanks for posting it, for not giving up.

I think it's a pretty accurate summary of Beto's play, which gives rise to some decent comments, such as Sam's suggestion that, so far, we have not seen anything to suggest that Beto and Calvert-Lewin could become a dynamic duo.

Yes, this is the 2nd part of the AI generated trilogy about Beto and Calvert-Lewin.

I said I wouldn't submit the AI article for reasons mentioned in Part 1. A few ToffeeWebbers were interested in the second part so I did a classic Everton-style U-turn. Promise one thing, deliver another, hope no one notices!

AI also politely reminded me it knows where my Wi-Fi lives.

There are some interesting points about Beto, and as some who have had the time to read it, there will be inaccuracies or discrepancies.

I think ChatGPT works a few months behind reality so after asking it 'What do you think of Beto as a player' and asking for a similar structure to the one it did for Calvert-Lewin, it churned an anaylsis out. I had to remind it that David Moyes is now the Manager...so it popped out the updated version. Copied and pasted, took out the symbols and it's not a case of Bob's your Uncle, more AI's your robot. Either way, the article's out and I didn't lift a finger....so whilst I may agree or disagree with some of the analysis, there's probably enough content to provide some discussion points.

However, of course, it doesn't replace real opinions.

Part 3 is a more tongue in cheek view of Calvert-Lewin and Beto and makes me wonder whether John Daly (Daley) is actually ChatGPT. Apologies to John, can't remember how to spell your surname.

I'd give it a miss. It's like the Microsoft Copilot tool that keeps offering me suggestions.

I ignore it and keep to my own words and opinions. I don't need a machine to tell me them. Although spell check comes in handy now and then.

Back to Beto, and other players, it's always best to go with what you see. Be that at the match or on the tele.

Sure there are technical aspects of his game that can be worked on and improved on the training ground, but football for me is a fluid, dynamic game (yes, even Dycheball!),and that requires the natural ability to think and adapt your play to the ever changing situation around you. The better players have this, many don't.

Coaches at all ages can ruin flair players by trying to coach them into playing in a particular way or system. There are many examples of this but a recent one that springs to mind is Jack Grealish at Man City.

The other big factor affecting players of course is confidence. Adversley affected, this will have a big influence on a players performance. This can be brought about by lack of game time,injury,personal problems, being played constantly out of their natural position and so on.

The bottom line for me is will he score 10-15 goals for us next season? I think with enough game he could and I think that is probably the best way to judge his ability.

Re your letter. Can understand you leaving well alone with the response you got. However, my brother needed to write to his local council about damage to his tyres after hitting a pothole. He just put in some basics, the car he was driving, the road he was on, the damage to the tyres etc. ChatGPT provided a two page letter for him with the correct contact at the relevant council, the address and a very well-written letter and even suggested the level of compensation. Scary!

My brother indicated that the letter he would have written would have had similar wording but taken him ages to construct. He tweaked the content, sent the letter last October, got an acknowledgement and is still waiting a further response. So whilst it's useful in some areas in life, it doesn't necessarily speed up the response!

Getting back to the topic.

Personally, I am a fan of both Beto and Calvert-Lewin. I hope Beto will improve but will no doubt have to change his game. I'd like to see a fit Calvert-Lewin work under David Moyes and see what happens. However, I can understand why he'd choose to go elsewhere and try his luck in a different environment.

As has been well documented, alot of a striker's success is down to the supply he receives.

I agree with you that 'good players should be able to use both feet'.

I said the same thing last week to a Chelsea supporting friend whilst watching the Chelsea cup final about Cole Palmer... always goes for his left... just before he crossed with his right for one of the goals!

Lastly, it was indicated above by Jerome @ 12 that Calvert-Lewin may not have been properly coached in his youth. I assume Jerome means as a striker.

That's possibly true. My understanding is that he started off life as a centre back or midfielder and gradually moved forward. If you don't mind, I won't resort to AI to check. :)

Bizarrely, didn't he have a game or two as a wing-back for us in his early days...

I was a big fan and defender of Dominic until this season when I honestly thought he wasn't giving 100% so I would have to say over the season Beto did better than Calvert-Lewin in terms of effort and goals.

Who knows if either of them will be here next season with Dominic seemingly wanting to move and Beto being sold or used in part exchange for another player.

Luckily I'm retired... again?

'Right now, he’s best as an impact sub or Plan B - a late-game disruptor who can stretch the pitch, press aggressively, and cause panic when defenders tire'

I don't think this is the case at all. Beto has always looked far more effective to me when he starts and is given time to get into the game. When he's come on as sub hes generally been ineffective?

That's what my eyes tell me, but AI doesn't have eyes does it?

You are ahead of me with your ChatGPT and your ability to use it. I remember beipng impressed with a background report on Beto's supportive coaching in Portugal during his youth and could translate it to what I saw in his playing technique. My post was really a objection to use of the word 'raw', since Beto has a steadily progressed professional career path.

Your better detail, than I, regarding Calvert-Lewin's progression to centre-forward really confirms him as being used to fill inadequate at Everton rather than being professionally developed. For some reason Big Dunc comes to the fore front of my mind regarding this inadequacy.

Calvert-Lewin has got to the extremely high pressured top position at Everton as centre-forward. Really, the Toffees ce-ntre-forwards are of mythical status and no wonder Calvert-Lewin has had coping problems. He has got there by shear hard work.

I remember after a Summer when Niasse and Tosun were supposed to progress on, Calvert-Lewin was selected. It's obvious that he had worked harder than both during the Summer.

I think you have to be careful about a player blowing hot and cold in the Premier League. After a player has a good game, his every move is analysed to death and a program developed to counter this, which is now probably AI assisted.

That is the reason I think that varying of tactics and players is essential in the Premier League. Fixed formation and fixed players is old hat in the modern game.

The overrated Slot, who made one change to the Redshite and won a non-event Premier League, has paid enormous sums for two German players from a Micky mouse German league, in comparison to the Premier League. He is about to find out about the above in the coming season, as Chelsea did.

1. He's constantly improving.

2. His pace is deceptive. Because he's tall and gangly, he doesn't look like a 'proper' sprinter. However, give him an 'over the top' ball to run on to, and not many defenders will get there before him.

That brings up another flaw in the AI analysis. On the one hand, it's saying Beto is more effective as a Plan B, as an impact sub; on the other hand, it's saying that he sometimes lacks confidence - but that can only be remedied by regular starts and scoring a few goals.

So, a bit of a Catch-22 situation, unless I'm mistaken.

I must be getting old. I prefer to write and speak with my own words.

But I get the advancement in automation and time saving it can bring to analysis and decision making.

Some really good points on Beto and Dominic. I think you're right about Calvert-Lewin starting life as a centre-back, then moving to be a box-to-box midfielder before becoming a centre-forward.

It's not uncommon for centre-backs to become centre-forwards and sometimes the reverse. We used Steve Watson as a forward on occasions.

Dave, I recently described Beto as a clumsy oaf and he is. You never know what's going to happen. I'd actually like to see him and Dominic play together. But let's see what happens with the contract situation.

It appears Calvert-Lewin may have started off life as a box-to-box midfielder — which in this day and age, we could probably just shorten to Botox :)

Both have different attributes: Beto had improved immensely under Moyes, but his first touch back to goal, and hold-up play, is still very poor. Hopefully he'll work on it this summer.

A fully fit Calvert-Lewin is definitely an asset, but no point in discussing Dom until we know his decision.

Yes, he is a bit ungainly but he scares the lives out of the opposition. A late starter who is improving and particularly so in the last 2 games of the season. It will be interesting to see the result of a full preseason with Moyes.

He's strangely well suited to our present situation. We'll be the best club he ever plays for and he / a decent support cast could even get us back into Europe.

But we do all know, in our heart of hearts, that he's not very good.

We saw it against Newcastle. They were that bothered by him, 3 defenders were occupied as Alcaraz left to score from a free header.

That is why I think Moyes will continue to improve him and we will see him score more goals per minute next season. I'll tip him for between 15 to 20.

He was playing professional football at 20 in the lower Portuguese leagues. He played the entire season scoring 21 goals.

I wouldn't be totally unhappy with him and Calvert-Lewin as our strikers this season as long as Dom can stay fit and we use money to strengthen other areas. Agree he can score 15 this season, a handful who might develop further.

Beto was working part time at KFC playing lower league stuff. His 21 goals were in a ground with a capacity of 3,000 people, and that's after a move from the mighty URD Tires.

Beto's first season at Udenese on loan, Calvert Lewin was in his 5th premier league playing season with Everton and had already been called by England.

To me that's a late starter. But everyone will have a different view.

Gives me a better understanding of how his centre -forward career developed. Everton were looking for a centre-forward who could head the ball. All Calvert-Lewin's training was strength building.

Now you would not think he was a box-to-box midfielder. He is average on the ground. Dyche would not have provided opportunities for a centre-forward anyway, whereas Moyes does.

But through injury, Beto has benefited more than Calvert-Lewin. You would know that Beto has always been a forward, he had the basics, something Calvert-Lewin has missed out on. Still, blame poor coaching and the expedient of Everton's situation for this.

I don't think there is such a thing as a late starter, but I understand what you say, Colin. We all start playing football from the day we can walk and run.

Some of these kids are consumed into academies from as young as 5 years old in some cases. Something I don't agree with. I have my own previously aired views on academies and I believe there should be an age cap on when the can be taken on by professional clubs.

I don't know if Calvert-Lewin suffered from poor coaching. Although I don't agree with over-coaching young players and prefer to let them be natural, with a bit of guidance. Don't take their natural game out of them and let them play football.

I often thought Ross Barkley wasn't coached properly.

I'm contradicting myself and my principles here, but I got the feeling he was left to his own devices as a teenager, because he was bigger, faster, more powerful and better than those around him.

Whatever level you play at, it is a big step up from youth to senior level. Ross showed glimpses of what he could be, but never quite lived up to the expectations and natural ability. Not just at Everton, most clubs he's been at since.

On Beto, I like him, I've said it enough. He's not the best, but, to steal a phrase, he's a diamond.

Completely different pathway to most Premier League players. Some exceptions like Vardy etc but not many.

Good on him because that's a really tough way to do it. But it also might explain some weaknesses to his game too.

You and I always disagree on this, Danny – I think you're describing really bad coaching, not over-coaching. But there's always different perspectives on these things.

Calvert-Lewin doesn't look coached in shooting or 1-on-1 situations. Fundamentals I'll grant you.

Good job really as you know mine. I am more about instinct and the moment when you're on a pitch, coaching or watching. To a degree, let players be players. Just step in when you need to.

Neither view is right or wrong. We now have top flight coaches analysing from an iPad in the dugout as the match progresses.

Beto has worked hard to get where he is and he drains every ounce of sweat in his body. He leaves nothing on the pitch. Sometimes, that doesn't meet the mark, but it is what has endeared him to Evertonians. We are a tough audience to please and will let it be know very quickly if we don't see the effort, In typical Scouse fashion, we won't give respect unless it's earned. He's earned it.

This thread has thrown up interesting discussion. Off the top of my head, we've had a few players make their debuts in their teens who went onto play at the highest level. Colin "the white Pele" Harvey and Wayne Rooney are the obvious ones.

It used to be the case that a lot of players didn't establish themselves at the top level until they were in their 20s. Again, going off memory, rather than stats, and using Everton examples, Gary Stevens, Kevin Ratcliffe and Neville Southall (MBE). Maybe even Peter Reid.

Different times, but I think the sentiment here is that sometimes a few players are ready at a young age. Most take longer, but don't give up on them.

Delap may of been that bargain. Young with room to develop, but we were never really a realistic destination for Delap at this point in time.

I'm happy for Beto to be the main striker next season, as long as our wide areas, central midfield and full backs are strengthened.

Four main 1st team signings would help to support Beto. A right back, a right wide forward, a centre midfielder and a hybrid forward capable of playing across the front.

Other signings to be support players, maybe using the loan market.

Calvert-Lewin is gone, I think. At this point, if he was signing on, it'd have happened already.

Beto has earned the right to lead the attack next season.

There will be many more, but Joe Royle, Richard Dunne and Anthony Gordon arrived in my brain going 'pick me'!

There have been a few. James Vaughn and Francis Jeffers too. There will be lots more we could add to the list.

Some are ready early, but don't quite hit the heights. Most take longer.

Calvert-Lewin has far more natural talent and which is why he got there earlier, but compared to the likes of Ian Wright, Jamie Vardy and countless others, Beto is nothing like a late starter.

By the time they were in their late 20s, both Fowler and Owen were looking in the rear-view mirror at their best seasons.

In the whole debate about Calvert-Lewin, it's the impact of the injuries that concern me. He's had some outstanding periods of form, but since he was out, he has always looked like a player who is physically not quite right. His picking up of knocks and strains also suggests this?

Imo, a pre-injury Calvert-Lewin is much better than Beto… but think it unlikely we will see that form again.

Oumar Niasse with a dash more finesse.

The other CF that springs to mind is Mateta at Palace. Another awkward customer to play against. In his first full season he scored two goals then got into the groove with 19 and 17 in his next two.

Maybe Beto can do the same? I have my doubts, but it's a maybe...

The standard is going to be a lot lower than the England id imsgine, as the UK is fairly unique in having money, attendances etc through 4 leagues and 92 clubs.

My opinion, please don't kill my wife or my children.

Beto sat behind DCL for the first half of the season and played around 1900 minutes. His 12 goals (no pens) translated to a goal every 161 minutes.

If Beto plays Mateta minutes next season -- and he has certainly shown that level of durability -- why shouldn't he score at Mateta's level or higher?

Liam #51, I might disagree a bit. I don't see any dropoff in DCL's physical performance even after all the injuries. To me he still looks just as fast, just as dominant in the air. The concern for me is the frequency. For such a young guy to miss 83 games in four years with 8 different injuries -- 5 of them hamstrings -- is jarring.

Especially when watching him in the flesh at Goodison. His jumping is nowhere near what it was, his off the ball work less intense and his speed not quite the same.

He's looked as if he's been playing within himself to my eyes. Not quite willing to go all out as he doesn't trust his body?

Beto strikes me as a gentle giant. Sure, he puts himself around but he doesn't seem to have a nasty side to him - although VVD might disagree! If you're going to be a big, bustling striker then maybe you need to be a bit more narky, if you know what I mean? Always good to have someone in your team that you wouldn't want to play against.

Admittedly, my idea of Beto as a gentle giant is partly based on his interviews, where he comes across as a very sensitive individual.

DCL is a different kettle of fish. Yeah, he's also a very emotional guy but he plays to his strengths, when fit, and his strengths are considerable. Not sure where I stand on him staying. Like, 50/50

Kev #56, yep, I'd say fully physical but not nasty. I looked it up, only nine yellows in four top-level seasons. And he's never had a red card in his life.

I've told this story before, but McManaman was at the Liverpool staff end of season doo the night we won the FA Cup. I attended because my wife and sister worked at Anfield at the time. He was the only player who turned up.

He was dancing to "All Together Now", which they played and celebrating us winning a trophy. I asked him who did he support. He just smiled and asked me who do you think. Everton was his answer. I kissed him on the cheek and I don't do that to men very often.

It works the other way around. Peter Reid was a boyhood Kopite. I believe Leighton Baines was too.

It's how it works in our city. The likes of me have never know different since we were born.

But once Everton gets hold of you, there is no going back. For me, a birthright that will stay with me for life. For others, they catch the bug.