4 days ago
9
6 goals in 5 games
©IMAGO
Leeds United spent the best part of €113.7 million on 10 new signings this summer following their promotion back to the Premier League. Yet one of their best pieces of recruitment has been the decision to capture Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer in August, with the 28-year-old striker looking a revitalised figure this season. That much was evident when he put Crystal Palace to the sword with two goals in an emphatic 4-1 victory - their biggest win since returning to the top flight - to extend their unbeaten run to four games.
With six goals in his last five appearances, Calvert-Lewin has emerged as one of the league's most lethal strikers of late and only Erling Haaland can boast a better record in that time. He also became the first player to score in five consecutive Premier League matches for the Yorkshire club since Mark Viduka back in 2003. It's no wonder that chants of “England’s number nine” rang around Elland Road on Saturday night. Calvert-Lewin hasn't played for his country since winning the last of his 11 caps in 2021. But if he carries on at this rate, England boss Thomas Tuchel will have to consider him as a wildcard option.
Leeds are reaping the benefits of their summer gamble. Of course, there isn't much risk attached to a player who costs nothing, but at 28, there were understandable doubts about Calvert-Lewin's fitness and capability of playing at the top level. As the weeks went by in the summer transfer window, clubs declined the option to sign him on a short-term deal. After finding the net just three times in 26 games for Everton in 2024/25, it's fair to say that reluctance was justified.
But Calvert-Lewin has rediscovered his hunger and confidence in front of goal and it's difficult to find a more important player for Leeds right now. When he plays and doesn't score, Leeds' record stands at one win, six losses and two draws. When he does, Leeds' results improve to three wins, one loss and two draws. His goals change the trajectory of their matches, rather than stat-padding when they are already winning, to underline his market value of €15m.
Leeds head coach Daniel Farke gushed with praise about Calvert-Lewin, while also keeping the target man on his toes: “The numbers don’t lie, he’s in red-hot form at the moment,” Farke said. “[He is] one of the best English strikers in this league. He has proved it before, whenever he was fit, he has shown his quality. Right now he’s on a path to be a top, top-class player for Leeds United. I don’t like to speak about quality and top-class player just after a few weeks. You have to show this with consistency over the whole season.”
With the 2026 World Cup only six months away, it would represent one of the shocks of the tournament if Calvert-Lewin made it in the 26-man squad. Still, with other elder statesmen such as Ivan Toney, Danny Welbeck and Callum Wilson potentially in the conversation, it would be foolish to think that an in-form Calvert-Lewin couldn't force his way into Tuchel's plans if carries on scoring at this rate.
