Everton need to sign competition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin if they are to challenge for European football, says former Toffees defender Michael Ball.

Calvert-Lewin did his best to fire Everton into Europe last season after scoring 16 goals in 33 appearances.

However, the Merseyside club still fell short, finishing 10th and behind the likes of Tottenham, West Ham and Leicester City, who all managed to grab Europa League and Europa Conference League places.

And now Ball is calling for his old side to bring in new additions this summer, including a striker, in order for Everton to make that next step.

"Everton want to be challenging for Europe," the retired full-back exclusively told TT. "I think you need competition in all positions. 

"I think a striker, maybe an experienced striker alongside him. I don't know who's about who will be happy to come to Everton and probably sit on the bench but also have that experience. [He] could help his game develop to the level he wants it to be at."

When you look at Everton's squad, it is probably something Rafael Benitez, who is set to be in the Goodison Park dugout this upcoming season, will probably agree with.

With Cenk Tosun and Moise Kean far from the first team with both spending the 2020/21 campaign out on loan, the Toffees are simply not blessed with forward options.