Nmecha has scored in each of his last three appearances and has expressed his confidence in his own ability
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
07:00, 16 Feb 2026
Lukas Nmecha of Leeds United celebrates scoring
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Lukas Nmecha of Leeds United celebrates scoring(Image: Phil Oldham/Shutterstock)
Lukas Nmecha believes he has shown he can be of value in a Leeds United line-up amidst his seven goals this season.
Nmecha has started, and scored, in United's last two games but before this run had not started a game since New Year’s Day. His last three starts have been as a result of Dominic Calvert-Lewin either being rotated or absent.
Nevertheless, the free summer signing has scored five goals in his last seven starts with a goal in each of his last three starts. “I'm just just doing my best,” Nmecha told reporters following his goal against Birmingham City in Sunday’s fourth round FA Cup clash.
“Whenever I'm called upon, I’m doing my bit, and I think I've shown that when I do get a chance, I normally put it away. So, yeah, I'm just pleased.”
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Among the reasons why Nmecha has found regular starts hard to come by, aside from Dominic Calvert-Lewin's form making him the clear first pick, is his injury record and Daniel Farke’s tactics.
In the 3-5-2 system, Leeds morph into 3-4-3 when on the ball with the second striker - perhaps Noah Okafor - going out to the left flank, with a midfielder - usually Brenden Aaronson - moving up to the right wing.
Also, Nmecha has missed four games through injury since the start of December which has stunted his progression. “I'm obviously still growing physically,” Nmecha went on to admit. “I'd say I'm still not 100% but I’m slowly getting there.”
Asked more about how he goes about attaining his fitness, Nmecha added: “We train really hard. I mean, even the players that don't play as much, you know, we're training six, seven times a week, sometimes we don't get a break, and we're just plucking away.
“And I think the atmosphere in the team is really good. And whenever people are called upon, like you saw today, they give it their best.”
When it comes to practising penalties - of which Nmecha has scored two of his three attempts and netted the rebound for the one he failed to convert at Manchester City - Leeds appear to do so individually, according to Nmecha.
He relayed a humorous moment from Sunday involving penalty-saver Lucas Perri, who at one point had to rely on gut instinct in the shoot-out despite the extensive homework goalkeepers do when it comes to spot-kick takers.
Nmecha said: “I think everyone just kind of individually practices their own penalties. It's not something that we did, especially before the game.
“I know the ‘keepers obviously have the sheet with all the takers on, which was a bit tough today because I found out that the first two penalties [Perri] couldn’t see the numbers on the shirt, so he didn't know [who was taking it]!
“He kind of just went with his gut and obviously won us the game.”
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