Dominic Calvert-Lewin's Resurgence at Leeds United
“When you get a certain narrative around you and are tarred with a certain brush, it’s quite hard to shake it.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin made these remarks after Leeds United secured a point against Brentford on Sunday, having scored the equaliser. He reflected on how he has managed to change perceptions about him.
Prior to the last international break, Calvert-Lewin had netted only one goal for his new club. Many Leeds supporters were concerned that the 28-year-old might repeat his disappointing final season at Everton, where he scored just three goals due to injuries.
However, since the Premier League resumed in mid-November, the English striker has been on a mission, scoring four goals in five matches, including goals in each of his last four appearances.
His latest goal was a well-timed header into the far corner, which secured a draw for Leeds and moved the team three points clear of the relegation zone.
After scoring his 62nd Premier League goal on Sunday, Calvert-Lewin told Sky Sports: “I’m feeling good. I think the performances are speaking for themselves at the moment.”
“For me, it was always about being mentally tough and hanging in there at certain points. Step-by-step, day-by-day, I put performances together, and all of a sudden the tide starts to turn, and you start scoring goals. That is the life of a centre forward.”
“In football, as a player, you have to control the controllables. The moment you start letting the external stuff bother you, that’s when you can get yourself in a rut. I keep my circle small: my wife, my daughter, and my dad. That keeps me grounded.”
‘The Fittest I’ve Been in a Long Time’
Calvert-Lewin signed a three-year contract with Leeds in August after leaving Everton, where he spent nine years and ended his tenure on a disappointing note. Despite earning 11 caps for England during his time with the Toffees, he departed after last season due to persistent injuries, having missed nearly 600 days since the 2018-19 season.
This season, however, he has been available for 14 of Leeds’ 16 matches in the Premier League. “This is the fittest I’ve been in a long time, and I’ve worked extremely hard to get in this position,” he stated.
Calvert-Lewin’s recent scoring spree has coincided with Leeds revitalizing their Premier League survival efforts. Under manager Daniel Farke, the team has earned five points from their last three matches, moving out of the relegation zone after a four-match losing streak.
Former teammate Conor Coady remarked on BBC Radio 5 Live: “If Leeds can keep him fit and firing, they have a real chance of staying in the division. The amount we missed him when he was injured was unbelievable, and you felt it week after week.”
“People think he’s just a big lad you can play long to, but technically he’s very good. You can play the ball into his feet, and he can set, spin, hold the ball, and get you up the pitch.”
‘One of the Best English Strikers in This League’
Is it time to discuss Calvert-Lewin’s chances for an England call-up? Leeds manager Farke seems to think so. He referred to the striker, who last represented England in 2021, as “one of the best English strikers in the Premier League.”
“My relationship with [England manager] Thomas [Tuchel] is very close, and he knows he can call me if he has any questions,” Farke added. “It always depends on the performances, and I think the sky is the limit for Dominic.”
“He has been very unlucky with injuries over the past couple of years, but his quality was never in doubt. His CV speaks for itself. For me, he is one of the best English strikers in this league. Harry Kane is playing in Germany for Bayern Munich, but in the Premier League, he is definitely one of the best English strikers and will be a key player for us going forward.”
Is the 2026 World Cup a target for Calvert-Lewin? “The goal is always to play for your country and represent your country at a World Cup,” he said. “But my job is to do as best as possible for Leeds, and that’s what I came here to do – score goals at club level and play my best football. The rest takes care of itself.”
‘Like a Fine Wine’
Leeds had been monitoring Calvert-Lewin early in the summer transfer window, so his signing was not a hasty decision. The striker was briefly linked with Manchester United and Newcastle, but when Leeds had the opportunity to sign him, they acted quickly. Farke believed that if he could get Calvert-Lewin performing well, he would help propel the team up the table.
As Leeds’ primary striker, Calvert-Lewin has quickly won over fans with his effort and link-up play. “He’s like a fine wine the way he’s matured. He’s found his home and seems to be loved at Leeds, where his influence on others is really positive,” said Farke.
Although he missed some chances early in the season, including a penalty in the League Cup against Sheffield Wednesday during his debut, he is now experiencing his best scoring run since playing under Carlo Ancelotti at Everton. While an England call-up seems uncertain, if he continues to score, it will become increasingly difficult for Tuchel to overlook him.