Calvert-Lewin has been dropped for the Toffees’ past two Premier League games after a dire run of form in front of goal.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s (9 March) clash with Manchester United, Dyche said he wants the England international to “work hard”, but backed him to come good with time.
However, speaking on Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club [11 March, 8:25 pm], Sutton said he does not believe Calvert-Lewin would have welcomed those comments.
“I think you probably want publicly and private backing,” Sutton said. “The comments by Dyche were pretty remarkable really, weren’t they?
“I think Calvert-Lewin will be pretty angry about Sean Dyche’s comments. He said sometimes you’ve got to hurt so score a goal and show desire. If you’re a player you’re not going to take that well.
“I suspect there’s a bit of a last resort to this from Dyche. Dyche is always controlled, measured, and clear in what he wants to say and how he wants to get it across.
“I was surprised a little bit by his comments and I suspect he feels he’s exhausted every avenue with Calvert-Lewin and this is now a last throw of the dice.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin on 22 game scoreless streak for Everton
Dyche was justified in his decision to take Calvert-Lewin out of the side. In many ways, he persisted with the forward for a little too long.
Including his substitute appearances against West Ham and Manchester United, DCL has now gone 22 games without a goal.
The 26-year-old has assisted just once in that run, which stretches back to his strike in the away fixture with West Ham at the end of October.
Dyche may have raised the point regarding desire, but he was not suggesting Calvert-Lewin is not giving his all for the shirt.
In fact, he said he fully expects him to find his scoring touch again soon. For now, Beto has the shirt after biding his time.
Everton are in desperate need of a prolific goalscorer, and in Calvert-Lewin they have a player who has proved he can be exactly that.
Whatever approach Dyche takes, the sooner the Calvert-Lewin of old returns, the better for everyone connected to the club.