Leeds United v Crystal Palace FC - Premier League 2026/27
LEEDS, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 20: Daniel Farke, Manager of Leeds United during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Leeds United and Crystal Palace FC at Elland Road on September 20, 2026 in Leeds, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)
Everyone associated with Leeds United will be breathing a collective sigh of relief as the final Nations League games of the international break unfolded.
James Trafford remained an unused substitute during England’s 3-0 win over the Czech Republic at Wembley.
Jaka Bijol also played 90 minutes in Slovenia’s 2-1 win over Scotland, with our defender getting through that game unscathed.
However, Daniel Farke will mainly be relieved that another Leeds United player got through the international break without picking up any sort of knock.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin makes another brief cameo for England
With Jean-Matteo Bahoya picking up an injury whilst away on international duty, Leeds did not need any more players to join the Frenchman on the treatment table. Especially with Joe Rodon and Harry Wilson also being injured.
Considering his past, Farke was always going to be nervous when Dominic Calvert-Lewin was called up to the England squad by Thomas Tuchel.
However, over the course of the international break, he was rarely used. As a result, he will return to West Yorkshire injury-free.
Against Spain, Calvert-Lewin played 13 minutes. The 29-year-old was then an unused substitute in the Three Lions’ away games against the Czech Republic and Croatia.
But Calvert-Lewin did manage to get on the pitch against the Czech Republic at Wembley tonight. He made a brief eight-minute cameo.
It would’ve been nice for him to play more over the international break. But Farke will be relieved that his talisman did not get run into the ground. Like what happened to Ethan Ampadu for Wales, for example.
However, it’s clear that if your name is not Harry Kane, getting minutes up front for England will be a difficult task under Tuchel. Ultimately, you can’t really argue that Tuchel’s decision is wrong considering Kane’s goal record.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will have a crucial role to play v Arsenal
Part of the reason it was vital that Calvert-Lewin did not pick up a knock when on England duty was the role he will have to play against Arsenal on Saturday.
We know that against Arsenal at the Emirates, our back will be firmly up against the wall.
Calvert-Lewin will need to be our focal point to provide that much-needed relief when a long ball goes up to the target man. He will need to do plenty of the ugly work that comes with being a striker. Clear chances are likely to be a luxury for Calvert-Lewin on Saturday.
We’ve seen Lukas Nmecha in a Leeds shirt for just over a year now. So, with all due respect, we know that his hold-up play is not the strongest area of his game.
So having Calvert-Lewin in the starting XI vs Arsenal is even more important than usual.
The striker would’ve been frustrated to be snubbed in two of England’s games over the break. Jude Bellingham was deployed out of position up top ahead of Calvert-Lewin.
So hopefully Calvert-Lewin will use this as extra motivation to carry on the fine form he has already displayed for Leeds this season.
A goal against Arsenal would be exactly the sort of thing that could make Tuchel reconsider his stance. Potentially making the German more likely to give Calvert-Lewin more minutes for England going forward.