Everton’s Dzyuba failure was to the benefit of Calvert-Lewin

Add as preferred source on Google

Last winter, Everton reportedly showed an interest in Russian striker Artem Dzyuba.

The Zenit Saint Petersburg ace has 13 goals in 26 appearances this season, and has also laid on 11 assists.

Dzyuba has become a hugely important player for Zenit since joining the club back in 2015.

His form last season led to interest from Everton according to the player.

He said on Russia 24 (quoted by The Daily Mail): “They had a ready-made offer: Everton. I could not leave, because we were going for the championship. For me it was a cherished desire, because in Russia I had not won it yet. For me then it was important to stay.”

It was important Dzyuba did stay, with Zenit indeed going on to win the league title.

Missing out on the 42-cap international would have been a frustration at the time, but the non-transfer appears to have helped one player at Goodison Park really shine.

TBR’s view – Dzyuba failure has helped Calvert-Lewin

It is easy to understand why Everton were after a striker last January.

The club were really struggling to score goals, especially Cenk Tosun.

It can be argued that failure to land Dzyuba was the catalyst for improvement in Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who became a regular in the team after the closure of the window.

It was a chance for him to learn more about the Premier League, and it appears to have done him the world of good – this season, he’s already up to 13 goals for the campaign and is perhaps giving England manager Gareth Southgate something to think about ahead of the European Championships.