Dominic Calvert-Lewin is one of the primary reasons why Leeds United are being favoured to avoid relegation from the Premier League this season.
A formation change at the end of November brought the best out of him, and he has been one of the best strikers in the Premier League, scoring goals for a Leeds side who sit 15th in the Premier League table.
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The 28-year-old striker had a lot to prove when he joined Leeds on a free transfer after a frustrating last few seasons at Everton, where he struggled with injuries.
However, Calvert-Lewin has proved his detractors wrong at Leeds this season and is seen as one of the players who could be a wild card entry into the England squad for the World Cup next summer.
Leeds legend Eddie Gray makes a huge Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Calvert-Lewin has scored ten goals in 23 Premier League appearances and has been a talismanic figure for Leeds in the ongoing campaign.
No other English player has scored more goals than the Leeds striker in the Premier League this season, which has naturally led to calls for him to return to the England squad.
Gray is delighted with what he has seen from him for his beloved Leeds and feels he is doing everything that is expected from a centre-forward at Elland Road.
He believes that Calvert-Lewin is as good as any other striker in the league or in world football, if he continues to score goals for Leeds this season.
Gray said on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast: “He’s been terrific for us.
“He has led the line well, he wins headers, he battles against central defenders, he is a big lad, he is strong, he is getting in the box, and he is scoring goals.
“I think the thing about it is, if he keeps playing like he is playing and scoring goals, to me just now, he is as good as any striker playing in the league and the game.”
Calvert-Lewin deserves an England return
Thomas Tuchel will sit down to pick up his England squad for the two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan at the end of next month.
This will be his last chance to take a look at his options before he picks the squad for the World Cup next summer, and Calvert-Lewin deserves a go in those two games.
Barring Harry Kane, no other England centre-forward is scoring as consistently as the Leeds striker, and he deserves recognition.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin Premier League Stats This Season
A statistical breakdown of Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s performances in the Premier League this season, including appearances, goals, assists and total minutes played.
Competition
Games Played
Goals
Assists
Minutes Played
Yes, he has not played for England in more than five years, but no English player has scored more goals than him in the Premier League this season.
Ollie Watkins seems to be the favourite to be Kane’s understudy in the World Cup, but Calvert-Lewin has outperformed him this season.
If the squad are picked on merit, there is no reason that the Leeds striker should be ignored, especially for the two friendlies at the end of next month.