Leeds United came face-to-face with two of their major transfer targets from the summer window in their Premier League clash against Fulham.
Daniel Farke has spoken openly about his frustration with Leeds’ inability to strengthen in attack in the closing days of the summer transfer window, after failing in their late move for Fulham’s Harry Wilson.
The Leeds defence was also tasked with stopping £32 million target Rodrigo Muniz, who led the line for Fulham following a long-standing interest from Leeds in the transfer window.
Comparisons were inevitable as Muniz lined up against new Leeds signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who joined the Whites on a free transfer and took the number nine shirt, which the Brazilian could have worn this season.
Despite Leeds falling to a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat thanks to a Gabriel Gudmundsson own goal, the game proved that the Whites may have saved a significant amount of money with their decision to sign Calvert-Lewin over Muniz.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin in action against Fulham.
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
Comparing Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Rodrigo Muniz
Although Calvert-Lewin failed to find the net against Fulham, there were some reasons for optimism, as he squared up against the Fulham back four. He was certainly not overshadowed by the man who would have cost significantly more to bring to Elland Road.
According to the data from FotMob, both Muniz and Calvert-Lewin managed just one shot each, both of which were classed as a missed big chance in a game dominated by defence.
In open play, Calvert-Lewin managed 15 touches to Muniz’s 22, although the Leeds forward was on the field for 15 minutes fewer. In this time, he won 100% of his aerial duels, compared with Muniz’s success rate of just 43%.
Fulham vs Leeds stats Rodrigo Muniz Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Total Shots 1 1
Big Chances Missed 1 1
Accurate Passes (Success %) 3 (33%) 5 (100%)
Total Touches 22 15
xG 0.18 0.3
Aerial Duels Won (Success %) 3 (43%) 3 (100%)
Comparing Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Rodrigo Muniz
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Calvert-Lewin also had a better passing success rate than Muniz, making five accurate passes from eight attempts. Muniz made just three from nine attempts at a success rate of 33%.
The Leeds number nine also created one chance to Muniz’s none and had a higher overall xG of 0.3 to his rival’s 0.18. While Calvert-Lewin clearly remains a work in progress under Farke, he was not outshone on his first Premier League start for his new club against the man who could have taken his place.
Rodrigo Muniz in action during Chelsea v Fulham - Premier League
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Daniel Farke backs Leeds United’s number nine to come good
Calvert-Lewin was withdrawn after 69 minutes against Fulham, as he continues his journey to full fitness after joining Leeds late in their pre-season campaign.
Speaking in his post-match press conference following Leeds’ latest defeat, Farke backed his new signing to come good as he builds his match sharpness in the coming weeks.
“I’m pretty happy with the performance of Dominic and Noah [Okafor],” Farke said: “We have to make sure that we are rock-solid, that we have many many clean sheets and the moments when it counts and to score a goal in order to win then a game or perhaps to draw a game if one goal is needed in order to draw it.
“I think in general we are also way better when we have all our players on full steam. So Dominic will develop; he was excellent today for 70 minutes. What a quality signing Noah Okafor can do, I think he has shown today. He adds this extra bit of quality to our game.
“Of course, I would have preferred to have a few more, but this is right now our squad, our situation, and for that, no complaints. We will work with them, and we have to approach and perform in games exactly like we did today.”