Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin was named in the England squad, but was leapfrogged as the top English Premier League scorer by Brighton’s Danny Welbeck.
The lack of goals in Leeds’ most recent games has been a seriously alarming development. Even though Leeds moved another point clear of the drop with a draw against Brentford, we haven’t scored an open play league goal since Chelsea away – which was a calamitous error from the Blues.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, though, still managed to get into the England squad. Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel clearly understands the value of the Leeds striker beyond his finishing.
Can Dominic Calvert-Lewin justify England call-up vs Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay?
Many look at the numbers alone to pass their judgement on a player like Calvert-Lewin. They are foolish to do so, but that’s the world we live in.
Obviously, Leeds fans and Daniel Farke are more than aware that the free transfer’s influence on our squad is as an accomplished all-rounder in our attack.
However, to fully convince the general populace, Calvert-Lewin has an opportunity against a Leeds legend this week. Tuchel confirmed that England’s first fixture against Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay on Friday will be without many England regulars, who join the camp in preparation for Ao Tanaka’s Japan on Tuesday.
Therefore, he’s almost in a straight shootout against Dominic Solanke to produce a standout display and cement Tuchel’s opinion on him.
Match of the Day’s Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney in agreement that Danny Welbeck should’ve been called up
Calvert-Lewin entered the weekend as the joint-top English goalscorer in the Premier League. He was level with Brighton’s Danny Welbeck but with one more assist to his name. Although, the Seagulls forward fired in a brace against Liverpool on Saturday afternoon.
Two poachers’ goals for Welbeck moved him to 12 goals, two ahead of Calvert-Lewin. As a result, the Match of the Day panel were quick to say he should’ve been in the squad over Leeds’ star man.
“I think he’s been excellent this season, I think he’ll be slightly disappointed he hasn’t been called up to the England squad with his form. He’s the highest English goalscorer this season [in the Premier League],” Wayne Rooney said.
“He can count himself unlucky that he’s not in the squad, considering the form that he’s in, as Wayne’s said, and the number of goals,” Alan Shearer replied.
“When you look at [Dominic] Solanke, Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Solanke’s got three goals, Calvert-Lewin’s got two in the last 12. I think he’s really unlucky not to be in that 35-man squad.”
Leeds United need to supply Dominic Calvert-Lewin with better service
Shearer is clearly just looking at the numbers for Calvert-Lewin to make his judgement. He’s not applied any context to the argument, as much as he’s absolutely right to heap praise on Welbeck.
Calvert-Lewin has two goals in 12 games. He’s also had very little service to go off in that time. So, it’s no surprise he’s dropped off in terms of goalscoring.
If he was playing with England international-level service every week at Elland Road, he’d be pushing 20 goals rather than being on 10 for the time being.
Welbeck deserved a call-up. But for Shearer to entertain Calvert-Lewin being the one to drop out, and not Solanke, is bizarre.
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