Dominic Calvert-Lewin's Remarkable Impact at Leeds United
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has emerged as a significant force in the Premier League this season, particularly for Leeds United. His recent goal against Sunderland marked his seventh in just six matches, a stark contrast to the single goal he managed in his first ten games of the season.
Calvert-Lewin's impressive form is likely to attract the attention of England manager Thomas Tuchel, but the question arises: is he becoming a must-have in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) lineups?
Is He Worth the Risk Despite Injury Concerns?
It is astonishing that the top scorer in the Premier League over the last six gameweeks is still considered a differential in FPL. Since reclaiming his position in the lineup during a 3-2 defeat to Manchester City in Gameweek 13, Calvert-Lewin has netted seven goals in six matches.
His price has increased from £5.5 million to £5.8 million during this period. Despite gaining one million new owners in the last three gameweeks, he remains a differential in only 8.8% of teams. Each time he scores—currently on a six-game scoring streak—FPL managers find themselves questioning, "When will this run stop?" rather than considering, "Should I add him to my team?"
Given this context, is it time to invest in the Leeds United striker?
Leeds United has experienced a pivotal phase, remaining unbeaten over the last five gameweeks with two wins and three draws, which has propelled them to 16th place in the Premier League standings. During this stretch, Calvert-Lewin ranks fifth among all players for shots on target (eight), fourth for shots in the box (14), second for big chances (seven), and first for expected goals (xG) with a total of 4.36.
He also successfully converted a penalty in the recent 3-3 draw against Liverpool, seemingly taking over spot-kick responsibilities from Lukas Nmecha, who had a penalty saved by Manchester City's Gianluigi Donnarumma in Gameweek 13 (though Nmecha did score from the rebound).
Calvert-Lewin possesses a strong track record when fit. During his time at Everton, he scored 13 goals and provided one assist in the 2019/20 season, followed by 16 goals and six assists in the 2020/21 season. His current underlying statistics indicate that this recent form could be sustainable, provided he maintains his fitness.
Calvert-Lewin's injury history has been a significant drawback as an FPL asset in recent seasons, as he has missed 15 or more games in three of the last four seasons. He scored only 12 goals in his last three seasons at Everton, making his move to Leeds United a potential opportunity to revitalize his career.
The timing of purchasing the Leeds United striker is uncertain, especially with upcoming matches against Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle United in the next three gameweeks. However, his recent goal against Liverpool in their previous encounter demonstrates his ability to perform in any match, regardless of perceived difficulty.
I am strongly considering adding him to my team before Gameweek 19, especially since he is currently the fifth highest-scoring forward in the game and serves as an excellent budget option to complement a front three alongside Erling Haaland and Hugo Ekitike, who are currently popular picks. While his injury history makes him feel like a gamble, it is a risk I am willing to take due to his outstanding scoring form.