A Leeds United legend has backed one of the club’s most important signings to keep them in the Premier League, ahead of the relegation run-in.
The Whites have kept themselves out of the drop zone for months on end but with eight games remaining just three points separate 15th-placed Leeds and 18th-placed West Ham United. In between Daniel Farke’s side and the Hammers lie Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest, making it a four-club battle to avoid joining the almost-certainly doomed Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley.
In the defeat by Man City Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Brenden Aaronson both had golden chances to hit the net and in Sunday’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace the same pair were unable to put Leeds ahead in the first half. Calvert-Lewin was on target with two headers but couldn’t beat the keeper, then slotted a penalty wide of goal. Aaronson found himself in behind the defence, just to the left of goal, and missed the target completely.
Calvert-Lewin’s importance to the side was evident at Selhurst Park even without a goal, the striker doing more than his fair share of defending with his side down to 10 men for the entire second half. But the front man is four Premier League games without a goal and has just two in his last 11 top flight outings. Regardless, Elland Road legend Gary McAllister believes the number 9 will be key to survival in the coming weeks.
“I’ll put my hand up, I’m someone who really likes Dominic Calvert-Lewin,” he told Grosvenor Casino.
“Those couple of seasons he had at Everton, he was always in and around the England squad. He’s a proper handful leading the line and getting goals. He’s very good at linking play, running in behind. He’s an old-school centre-forward. The concern has always been his injury record. I think when you mention Calvert-Lewin, that’s the first thing people say. Good player, capable, but can he play three or four games consistently?
“But it seems they’ve been managing his body and getting things right. When I look at players like Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson, guys who can really influence staying in this division, Calvert-Lewin is one of those. If the Leeds players can get decent service into that box, he’s the one who can get the goals that will keep us safe at Elland Road.”
Ever since Calvert-Lewin’s scintillating hot streak in November and December, when he plundered seven goals in six games, his name has been mentioned in the England World Cup conversation. His boss Farke has been asked about it on numerous occasions by various national newspaper journalists, only to give the same answer time and time again - Thomas Tuchel will do what he sees fit to pick the best squad for the tournament. McAllister’s view is that even the 29-year-old himself will be surprised if he makes it to the World Cup, but a strong finish to the season for Leeds could make that dream come true.
“When you look at the options, Ollie Watkins is going through a little tough period, although he’s a fantastic player,” said McAllister. “Danny Welbeck is another one. Calvert-Lewin would probably be someone who might even himself be gobsmacked to make the squad, so he’d be really happy to be there.
“But the question is, if you take Harry Kane out of the side, who is capable of leading the line like that? A fully fit Calvert-Lewin can do that. I’d lean towards him if he finishes the season strongly. He’s putting a bit of pressure on Thomas Tuchel to pick him. There’s always big pressure being Leeds United’s number nine, so his capability to cope with that is definitely there.”
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