Leeds forward Calvert-Lewin felt he had stagnated at Everton
Dominic Calvert-Lewin left Everton after a nine-year stint on Merseyside, and the Leeds United striker felt he needed a change.
Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin feels he had stagnated at Everton and required a change to give his career a refresh.
Calvert-Lewin left Everton on a free transfer in the summer, having spent nine years with the Toffees after joining them from Sheffield United in 2016.
The 28-year-old scored 57 Premier League goals in 239 appearances for Everton, making him the club's third-highest goalscorer in the competition, behind Duncan Ferguson (60) and Romelu Lukaku (68).
Calvert-Lewin's final seasons at Everton were blighted by injury lay-offs, and he explained why he decided to move on.
"My last three years at Everton were stressful," Calvert-Lewin told Sky Sports.
"There was a lot of ups and downs and I felt I'd come to a stage where I'd started to stagnate a little bit.
"It just felt like a fresh environment and a new challenge was needed."
Calvert-Lewin's goal tally at Everton included a vital one in May 2022, as the Toffees came back to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 and ensure their Premier League survival.
Leeds are now hoping Calvert-Lewin helps keep them in the top tier. He has scored one league goal so far for the Whites since joining them in August.
Only Wolves (seven) have scored fewer goals in the Premier League this season than Leeds (10), though Daniel Farke's team have underperformed their 13.1 expected goals (xG). Calvert-Lewin has registered 2.0 xG, meaning he is underperforming by exactly one goal, based on the chances that have come his way.
"Promoted teams, statistically, it’s backs against the wall. We’ve shown what we’re good at, capable of, and where we can improve," Calvert-Lewin added.
"It’s that mentality of win or learn. You win, but if you don’t, you analyse why.
"Where you start is not where you are collectively at the end of the season. We haven’t got an abundance of experience but we have enough and we have players that can grow into roles, and step up.
"It’s achievable, the evidence shows that. Small details have let us down; we need to turn that to our favour. We have full belief in achieving our targets, that’s what we’re striving for."
Leeds sit just a point above the relegation zone ahead of hosting Aston Villa on Sunday.
