Leeds United perhaps performed better than most expected them to in their opening Premier League match on Monday, beating Everton.
After a strong summer transfer window, albeit with a few holes still to plug, Leeds United fans were quietly optimistic going into Monday night’s opener against Everton in the Premier League.
Many would’ve taken a draw, but Daniel Farke’s men stole all three points with Lukas Nmecha’s late penalty sealing Leeds United the win vs Everton.
Hopes are high going into what is a very tough game away at Arsenal this weekend. And hopes are high for the rest of the season too, with Leeds looking as though they still want new players.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that Noah Okafor is flying to Leeds to complete his transfer from AC Milan, and the Swiss international will become the Whites’ ninth signing of the summer.
Jeff Stelling addresses the audience during Gillette Soccer Saturday Live
Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Jeff Stelling still thinks Leeds United are missing one thing
Speaking on talkSPORT, pundit Jeff Stelling was discussing Leeds’ win over Everton with Ally McCoist. And Stelling revealed that going into the season, he predicted Leeds United and Sunderland to both beat the drop in the Premier League this season. But Stelling still thinks there’s a lack lacking of strikers despite Dominic Calvert-Lewin joining Leeds United on a free transfer.
Stelling explained: “My predictions before the first game; Sunderland and Leeds to stay up. [But] Leeds need to find someone to put the ball in the back. I couldn’t see where goals were coming from last night.”
And Farke’s striker search may well stop with Calvert-Lewin after reports on Wednesday revealed that Rodrigo Muniz is set to sign a new contract at Fulham, having previously been Leeds United’s no.1 striker target for this summer.
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When will Dominic Calvert-Lewin be ready to play for Leeds United?
Having not had a club all summer, we may not see Calvert-Lewin in action for Leeds for a while yet, especially considering his previous struggles with injury.
Speaking recently, Farke gave his verdict on Calvert-Lewin’s fitness and where he’s at after arriving at Elland Road. The Leeds boss said: “We will build his fitness step by step so that he finds also the confidence better back in his body and then also his confidence and his rhythm back.
“If he does so, then he has shown what he can do, and he can be outstanding for us.”
And Calvert-Lewin has himself given a hint towards how he’s feeling, to a former Leeds United striker in Jermaine Beckford. Beckford revealed what Calvert-Lewin said to him upon signing for Leeds: “One of the things that I got, was the maturity I got back.
“He said he wasn’t quite mature enough to say he wasn’t ready [to return from injuries in the past]. He pushed himself a bit too soon, ‘now I’m in a much better mindset, I’m feeling great’.
“He looks fantastic by the way, he made me feel a bit embarrassed about my physique. Looking into his eyes and listening to him, I believe this is going to be one of the best versions of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.”
Leeds United’s game against Arsenal kicks off at 5:30pm on Saturday, but expect Calvert-Lewin to spend some more time on the sidelines.