2024/25 Dominic Calvert-Lewin

[John from Bootle]

Listening to the HP pod this morning I had to laugh at Dom's thinly veiled disgust and disdain for Sandro getting the no9 shirt after he'd asked for it and how Sandro did it hindsight. All the better because he's so well mannered.

He asked for the number 9 shirt in 2017? Did nobody think to remind him that he'd scored the grand total of 1 Premier League goal up to that point?

Sandro is still a weird one. I don't what's weirder; the fact we paid him so much money or that he actually got some chances at Barca. with 17 league appearances (and some cup games on top) over 2 seasons before signing for Malaga.

Interesting fact, Sandro holds the record for most La Liga clubs played for (8).


EDIT: scratch that; just seen that Barca basically said when he left (paraphrase) 'we only kept him because of the transfer embargo'

 

[Toffeepot]

He asked for the number 9 shirt in 2017? Did nobody think to remind him that he'd scored the grand total of 1 Premier League goal up to that point?

Sandro is still a weird one. I don't what's weirder; the fact we paid him so much money or that he actually got some chances at Barca. with 17 league appearances (and some cup games on top) over 2 seasons before signing for Malaga.

Interesting fact, Sandro holds the record for most La Liga clubs played for (8).


EDIT: scratch that; just seen that Barca basically said when he left (paraphrase) 'we only kept him because of the transfer embargo'

Wow, it was that long ago?
Yea makes no sense for him to request it then
He did say Silva was manager at the time, does that fit the timeline?
I'm confused now tbh

I do remember thinking Sandro was going to tear up the league for us and the will he won't he all summer was definitely not worth it!

 

[Efcjake]

Listening to the HP pod this morning I had to laugh at Dom's thinly veiled disgust and disdain for Sandro getting the no9 shirt after he'd asked for it and how Sandro did it hindsight. All the better because he's so well mannered.

That lines up with my view of how Dom sees himself.

It's good that he backs himself but having a cob on because they wouldn't give you the 9 after he had hardly kicked a ball for us and was still in Chermiti role of youngster knocking about the squad is a bit rich like.

 

[John from Bootle]

Wow, it was that long ago?
Yea makes no sense for him to request it then
He did say Silva was manager at the time, does that fit the timeline?
I'm confused now tbh

I do remember thinking Sandro was going to tear up the league for us and the will he won't he all summer was definitely not worth it!

Well we signed Sandro in summer 2017, so I'm assuming that no context was left out of the post I was replying to and that's when he asked for it.

I've no problem with players fancying themselves, in fact it's needed if truth be told, but at that stage of his career he should have been happy to wear any number. The fact he's still going on about it is weird. Like he actually felt hard done by, when he should have just been happy to have opportunities and minutes.

 

[Toffeepot]

That lines up with my view of how Dom sees himself.

It's good that he backs himself but having a cob on because they wouldn't give you the 9 after he had hardly kicked a ball for us and was still in Chermiti role of youngster knocking about the squad is a bit rich like.

Just checked it
he got the no9 in 2019/20 season, asked for it in 2018/19 season and had already played the majority of minutes the previous two seasons

If anything Ramirez was the Chermiti role, barely playing

 

[Toffeepot]

Well we signed Sandro in summer 2017, so I'm assuming that no context was left out of the post I was replying to and that's when he asked for it.

I've no problem with players fancying themselves, in fact it's needed if truth be told, but at that stage of his career he should have been happy to wear any number. The fact he's still going on about it is weird. Like he actually felt hard done by, when he should have just been happy to have opportunities and minutes.

yea just checked it there, replied above
it was the 2nd season of Sandro and Dom was already playing regularly up top
he asked for it in 2018 but got it in 2019/20

 

[W84 Dum Freeze]

I hate Dyche , but let’s be honest, DCL has never been a natural finisher, and he never will be. Under Ancelotti, his strengths were maximised by playing to his strengths: getting him the ball in and around the six-yard box. When he’s fit, his hold-up play is excellent, and Dyche clearly valued that more than his goal output. But let’s not pretend he didn’t miss some absolute sitters this season, that's not on Dyche.

wins the free kick for the first,
Forced two own goals
a handful for Ndiaye's disallowed goal
There are lies, true lies and statistics

 

[Marius57]

Lots to thank to Dom

BUT...his contract is up and you have to look at his output over the last 3 seasons, his injuries, and what he is asking for.

Same happened with Doucoure. Both on £100k a week? Has their output warrant the same over the last few years? Getting better? Age. Fitness. Are they willing to back down?

If not...then they part ways.

I agree mate. Was happy if Dom stayed but on reduced terms. Some just desperate for him to leave the club regardless though.

 

[John from Bootle]

yea just checked it there, replied above
it was the 2nd season of Sandro and Dom was already playing regularly up top
he asked for it in 2018 but got it in 2019/20

Ah, fair enough. Not quite as bad then, but we all know that at that point we'd still not replaced Lukaku, Dom had still not hit double figures in the league, and just because he was better than Sandro doesn't mean we didn't absolutely need a new number 9, and if we'd have behaved competently in the transfer market, he'd still not have been first choice regardless of how bad Sandro was.

Those dates definitely put a different slant on it though, so hands up, I was a touch harsh on him there.

 

[Toffeepot]

Ah, fair enough. Not quite as bad then, but we all know that at that point we'd still not replaced Lukaku, Dom had still not hit double figures in the league, and just because he was better than Sandro doesn't mean we didn't absolutely need a new number 9, and if we'd have behaved competently in the transfer market, he'd still not have been first choice regardless of how bad Sandro was.

Those dates definitely put a different slant on though, so hands up, I was a touch harsh on him there.

I guess he was trying to replace Lukaku and backing himself because as you point out the club weren't exactly replacing him either. Fair play to him for that considering Lukaku was then a £90mil player and very tough to replace.
Was looking good under Carlo but he never had Lukaku's finishing, not many do.

He still deserved the no9 more than Sandro

 

[Marius57]

That game was the 19th of May. Up until then he'd scored 1 goal from open play all season. 15 starts.
Maybe if he and others had performed just a tiny bit better in the previous 9 months we wouldnt be needing them to turn up and "save" the club.
I suppose it is a Point of view. I'd never say either of them saved the club. They both contributed massively to being there in the first place.

Oh I agree mate. Just interesting seeing the different reactions around him or doucoure leaving.

One thread has a bit of a love in for a “good blue” who always gave his full effort and commitment (which is arguable) Even had words like “legend” used.

Then this one seems majority just thankful he is leaving.

 

[Marius57]

It shouldn’t have been, because they would’ve stayed up anyway if they’d beaten Newcastle at home.

Needing to go and win or needing to go and draw are different things though. Knowing we would likely lose to Arsenal, them just needing to draw at home is an easier ask then saying they must win.

 

[kenada_blue]

he had a good first half of the season. second half he was shocking.

lets not rewrite history

I'm not. Statistically with his goal return he was like the top 5 in Europe for his age (23). He had 13 league goals at 22, 16 goals at 23.

Started the 21/22 season with 3 goals in 3 games before getting injured. Only started 15 games that season and 15 games the following.

He was very good. Still think he is bar his finishing. But he can't be relied upon. And if he wants £100k a week it's not workable.

 

[MikeH72]

Needing to go and win or needing to go and draw are different things though. Knowing we would likely lose to Arsenal, them just needing to draw at home is an easier ask then saying they must win.

But they couldn’t even draw mate? A draw would’ve done them if Leeds hadn’t won at Brentford too, they only got a last minute winner in that one. The facts are the facts, that Burnley didn’t take care of their own business regardless of our result. We can come up with magical scenarios that might have happened in a parallel universe all day if we want, I’m more interested in what actually happened in real life.

 

[MikeH72]

Oh I agree mate. Just interesting seeing the different reactions around him or doucoure leaving.

One thread has a bit of a love in for a “good blue” who always gave his full effort and commitment (which is anrguable) Even had words like “legend” used.

Then this one seems majority just thankful he is leaving.

I’m delighted that both are leaving because both are not good enough.