Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin wasn’t the standout youngster during his time at Sheffield United.
That’s according to Dean Hammond, who played alongside Calvert-Lewin for the Blades during the 2015/16 season.
The England international left Bramall Lane for the Toffees at the end of that campaign for just under £1m.
Calvert-Lewin has since gone onto become one of the best forwards in the Premier League. This term, the 23-year-old has scored 18 goals in 25 appearances in all competitions.
But Hammond says there was another young player whom he thought was even better than Calvert-Lewin.
“I always knew he had talent and always knew he had a fantastic attitude,” the 37-year-old told The Sheff United Way podcast. “He was one of those players who was always doing extra training, was always in the gym. You thought; ‘OK, he’s got a real chance’.
“But I never would have predicted he would have progressed as quickly as he has. The standard that he’s setting at Everton, the way he’s playing has been unbelievable.
“I think he’s developed in his career through hard work.
“He was a talent, but he was very raw and I always thought Che Adams was the one with the natural ability.”
Che Adams or Dominic Calvert-Lewin?
In fairness, Adams has gone onto do pretty well himself. The 24-year-old also left United in August 2016, joining Birmingham City for £2m.
Unlike Calvert-Lewin – who failed to score in 12 appearances for the Blades – Adams left having netted 15 times in 55 games.
After impressing at Birmingham, the attacker joined Southampton in a £15m deal. However, Adams has since struggled to truly assert himself at St Mary’s.
That is not the case for Calvert-Lewin at Goodison Park, of course, who has flourished under manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The former Blade has also broken through on the international stage this term, earning three caps and scoring two goals for his country.