David Unsworth was instrumental in bringing Dominic Calvert-Lewin to Everton in the summer of 2016, having paid close attention to the striker’s development since working with him when Sheffield United’s Head of Academy Coaching.

Now Everton’s Director of Academy and Under-23s manager, Unsworth discusses the technical and personal qualities which set Calvert-Lewin apart as a youngster, and the progression of his game as the 24-year-old prepares for England’s European Championship final against Italy on Sunday…

To say I’m proud of Dominic is probably an understatement.

I know his family and where he’s come from. And I know about his football journey, from his early steps at Sheffield United to becoming Everton’s number nine and part of an England squad aiming to make history.

He’s been a pleasure to coach and he’s a pleasure to know, too.

The first time I saw Dom he was an Under-15 player at Sheffield United and he was a very technically-gifted central midfielder – that’s where he played at the time.

He was going through a growth spurt and he was quite leggy and gangly. Then, in his Under-16 year, I spent that whole season watching him train and coaching him.

The first time I really thought, ‘This is a player with big potential’, was actually in one of his early gym sessions.

He was doing some plyometric jumping onto these high boxes – and his leap was about twice the height of anyone else's. It was the first time I’d ever seen a player jump that high. He had an incredible athletic spring.

I worked closely with him in Sheffield and he was one of the best players in his age group. He was a lovely kid, from a great family. He was a very grounded lad and desperate to be a footballer.

He became a very attacking central midfielder, he was always the one who got in the box and travelled well with the ball, and he had an eye for goal.

He had a real willingness to learn, too, which is so important. You knew he was going to listen and apply himself correctly. He ticked all the boxes.

I left Sheffield United to go back to Everton but I kept tabs on him. He soon got moved up the pitch to play as a centre-forward – and he’s never looked back.

I remember watching his debut when he went on loan to Stalybridge Celtic. He scored, but he looked like a boy playing against big, strong men. I went to watch him in the flesh again later in the season and, by that time, he’d grown and he was the one dishing it out to the defenders. He scored again and I thought, ‘Wow’.

He also had really good loan spell at Northampton Town. I watched him there, too, and even though he was only 17, he led the line brilliantly.

If I’m honest, I never thought we’d be able to get him from Sheffield United. But the timing of the transfer, back in 2016, worked out well for us.

They were desperate to get out of League One into the Championship and I don’t think Dom would have played in their first team at his age. He would’ve went on loan again.

I went to our CEO at the time, Robert Elstone, and I told him, ‘This kid has the potential to be a top player’. The Club backed me and we got the deal done for what was a small fee, considering where he is at now.

When he joined us you could immediately see how his attributes had developed. He had great physicality and was technically-sound.

Pictured below: Calvert-Lewin (directly to Unsworth's left) with the Everton Under-23s squad.

Playing in midfield all those years will have helped him, because he’s developed the techniques to move the ball around and keep possession. He was also quick, strong and brilliant in the air, which is quite rare these days for a young player.

Dom came straight into the Under-23s and we worked together. He scored goals, including a memorable volleyed winner against Man City.

He got his opportunity in the First Team just a few months after joining us in the summer, and never came back down to the Under-23s, which is exactly what you want.

He went into the senior side and took to it straight away. He was ready to handle the ball and the physicality of top-level senior football.

He has just gone from strength to strength. He has improved every single season – and his success, overwhelmingly, is down to him.

He’s a fantastic young man. He listens to his coaches and he’s still hungry to learn. All the best players I’ve ever come across are the easiest ones to manage. He’s first on the training ground and last off it. He’s very humble off the pitch.

We did a lot of work in the community with Everton Under-23s and he threw himself into that. Everybody at Everton loves him and he deserves everything he’s getting at the moment.

Every time I watch him play, I’m just so desperate for him to score!

On the field, you can see how he has taken his goalscoring to the next level. He’s always had that ability to score, but now you’re looking at a guaranteed 20-goals-a-season man.

He’s understood the role of a number nine – that you have to hold the ball up, run in behind and dominate in the air. He’s getting between the goalposts more often, he’s on the move when crosses come in, and making things happen. And he’s got the ability off both feet and with his head to finish.

If I was a centre-back in today’s game, I certainly wouldn’t want to play against him, because he’s got the all-round game.

It was only a matter of time until he got his chance with England and it’s marvellous to see him be part of this group of players.

It’s been a long time coming since we had a squad capable of going all the way in a tournament, but this one certainly is.

His mum and dad must be so proud of him, because we are so proud of him here at Everton.