The remarkable renaissance of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin at Leeds United is not only transforming his club's Premier League season but also putting him firmly in contention for an England recall. The Sheffield-born forward has scored seven goals in his last six appearances, a run that would have been eight in seven but for a disallowed effort against Liverpool on Thursday.
From Half-Time Dressing Down to Goal-Scoring Saviour
The turning point in this remarkable story came in late November during a daunting away fixture at Manchester City. Leeds were trailing 2-0 at the break, and manager Daniel Farke's position was reportedly under serious scrutiny. In the away dressing room at the Etihad Stadium, it was the then-substitute Calvert-Lewin who took charge.
Leeds attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson recalls the pivotal moment: "I’ll never forget what happened at half-time at City. Dom was laying into everyone, getting everybody going. That’s the kind of character he is." Farke made a tactical switch to a 5-3-2 formation, introducing Calvert-Lewin, who scored shortly after coming on. Although City won with a late Phil Foden goal, the fightback earned Farke more time.
Since that day, Leeds are unbeaten in six games, collecting 10 points. Calvert-Lewin, who joined as a free agent after leaving Everton in August, has been the catalyst, playing with a supreme confidence that had been missing during an injury-plagued final few years at Goodison Park.
The Mental and Physical Rebirth of a Striker
So how has a player who managed just 12 goals in his last three seasons at Everton become one of the division's most feared forwards? The answer lies in a combination of physical recovery and psychological rejuvenation.
After rejecting a new deal at Everton, Calvert-Lewin spent the summer away from the game, a period he describes as an epiphany. "I was pushing my daughter on the swing when other players were in pre-season," he says. "It showed me two things; I needed the break with my family, but it also made me realise how much I missed football and that I’m far from finished."
Manager Daniel Farke has played a crucial role, focusing on building the player's resilience rather than managing his minutes. The shift to a two-striker system has also been key, leveraging Calvert-Lewin's ability to hold up the ball and his intelligent movement in the box. "I like to think that when I get the service I’m lethal in the box," the striker notes.
Swimming with the Tide Towards an England Return
The consensus among pundits is that Calvert-Lewin is timing his run perfectly for a place in England's World Cup squad. The 28-year-old, who has 11 England caps with the last coming in 2021, is now the first Leeds player to score in six consecutive top-flight matches since John McCole in the 1959-60 season.
Farke is effusive in his praise: "Dominic’s excellent off the pitch as well as on it. He’s a great human being, a great teammate, a hard worker. We’re pretty blessed to have him."
For Calvert-Lewin, this feels like a new beginning. "It’s freeing to be enjoying my football like I am at the moment," he reflects. "I do feel this is the second phase of my career. I’ve still got so much I want to achieve. You go through many moments when the tide is against you and you have to keep pushing against it. But I feel I’m swimming with the tide now." As Leeds prepare to host Manchester United at Elland Road, all eyes will be on the in-form striker whose revival is capturing the imagination of fans and, surely, the England manager.
