Dominic Calvert-Lewin joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer transfer window, and the club’s decision was questioned given he has scored just 18 Premier League goals in the last four seasons, and has had several injury problems over the years.
However, Leeds banked on their medical team to keep the striker fit this season, and felt that the former Everton forward is still good enough to score the goals needed to keep the Whites in the Premier League by the end of the campaign.
Most Read on The Leeds Press
Calvert-Lewin made his first start in the Premier League for Leeds on Saturday at Craven Cottage, and the performance was nothing to write home about. However, he did miss a chance to score his first goal for the Whites and was substituted in the second half by Lukas Nmecha.
With Leeds struggling to score goals at the start of the season, the 28-year-old will be under more scrutiny, and the initial reactions of his time at Elland Road are not great.
Can you name these 10 former Leeds United defenders?
Michael Dawson slams Dominic Calvert-Lewin for missing his chance against Fulham
Former Premier League defender Michael Dawson stressed that Calvert-Lewin’s performance against Fulham was nothing short of ‘bang average’.
He conceded that the former Everton man received very little service from his midfielders and wingers, but the one chance he got, the forward should have converted it.
Dawson insisted that Leeds are not going to create loads of chances for their striker, given the lack of attacking threats in the squad. Therefore, it’s paramount that the forwards make the most of what they receive, and Calvert-Lewin fumbled when the spotlight was on him.
“Bang, bang average”, Dawson described the Leeds striker’s performance on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday panel.
“Very poor. He didn’t get an awful lot of service. Didn’t get a lot of service, don’t get me wrong.
“He had one opportunity with the header. He hit the target, but you’ve got to score.
“When you’re in the Leeds team, you’re not gonna create loads and loads of chances. When that one chance comes, a header from seven yards out, you have to take it.
“But, apart from that, didn’t do an awful lot. I mean, the game hasn’t done an awful lot, to be honest.”
The 49ers must take the blame
There was a reason why Calvert-Lewin had to wait until August to find a new club despite being a free agent since the end of last season.
Several Premier League clubs considered him but, wary of his injury record and declining goalscoring form, chose to sign other strikers during the summer.
Leeds were desperate for someone when they signed him, as the club had wasted weeks on targets who either moved to other clubs or were never going to leave their current team.
The club hope that Calvert-Lewin will find his rhythm again soon, but they can do little as the 49ers didn’t bring in the extra striker that Farke wanted.
The 49ers’ recruitment of attacking players in the summer looked chaotic from the outside, and Farke may well pay with his job because of it.
Related Topics