Dominic Calvert-Lewin heaps praise on Everton teammate James Rodriguez

Add as preferred source on Google

Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has heaped praise on James Rodriguez, branding the Colombian ‘a top, top player’.

The Toffees are currently in a bit of rut having lost their last three Premier League matches.

Defeats to Southampton, Newcastle and Manchester United have seen them slip down to sixth place in the Premier League having been top after four games.

It was a fantastic start by Carlo Ancelotti’s side, and one man that really stood out was summer signing Rodriguez.

The midfielder quickly set about showing his quality, but his momentum has been halted a little after supposedly picking up a knock against Liverpool.

He played the next game, but was absent for the defeat to Newcastle.

His quality and importance to the team is abundantly clear already, and Calvert-Lewin has given his take on the 29-year-old’s contributions since joining the club.

He said (Liverpool Echo): “I’d seen the great goals he’d scored and the big teams he’d played for. He’s a top, top player and for me, as a centre-forward, I knew chance-creation would be there and it would be down to me to put the ball in the back of the net.

“I’m really enjoying playing with him. He’s a different level. He dictates games.

“He takes players out of games by taking touches. The way he manipulates the ball, he’s very hard to get it off – I don’t think I’ve seen him get tackled, even in training.”

TBR’s View – Everton need James to rediscover mojo

Everton, and Calvert-Lewin, could really do with James to be at his best after the international break.

His form has been affected by the knocked he sustained against Liverpool and the Toffees has suffered as a collective as a result.

Hopefully the South American can come back from international suty unscathed and kick on, before Everton’s poor patch gets any worse.