Most Leeds United fans will already know what Dominic Calvert-Lewin is going to bring to the table when his move to Elland Road is confirmed, but what is he like behind the scenes?
Reports emerged on Wednesday that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will become the club’s eighth signing of the summer, and second free transfer. It comes after Lukas Nmecha joined Leeds on a free from Wolfsburg.
Leeds fans are concerned about Calvert-Lewin’s injury record, though the England international has still managed to play more than 9000 minutes of Premier League football over the past five seasons.
There is no doubt though, that Calvert-Lewin is a risky signing with the injury-prone ace yet to replicate the success he had in 2020-21, when scoring 16 goals in 33 Premier League games under Carlo Ancelotti.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin playing for Everton.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Mark Clattenburg shares what Calvert-Lewin was really like
Speaking to LeedsUnited.News, Clattenburg shares how he only ever refereed striker Calvert-Lewin on one occasion. The Everton icon came off the bench during a 2-1 Everton win over Arsenal back in 2016.
The 2016 Champions League final referee shared how Calvert-Lewin was largely a quiet character with the former Sheffield United man still largely a youngster, having joined Everton a few months prior.
“I only had a short and brief experience with Dominic Calvert-Lewin when he played for Everton in 2016. A quiet player who did not engage in much dialogue with me as the referee but had a talent,” he said.
“Watching from a far, his career was limited due to injuries but will be a limited risk to Leeds as is now a free transfer,” Clattenburg continued, when considering whether Calvert-Lewin will be a good signing.
Mark Clattenburg during his refereeing career.
Photo by Jordan Peck/Getty Images
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It sees Angus Kinnear return to Elland Road at the very first opportunity, after leaving Leeds for Everton following eight years of service at Leeds. There is Jack Harrison returning to Leeds after his Everton spell.
Harrison has been replaced by the signing of Jack Grealish, who has had many run-ins with Leeds fans over the course of his career – not least, his tackle causing the end to Stuart Dallas’ professional career.
Now, Calvert-Lewin could make his Leeds debut by playing against the side he has played for, for the last nine years. It all adds to the intensity of what is a Premier League return for Leeds after two years.