The England striker has credited the club for a remarkable turnaround
Isaac Johnson Leeds United reporter
10:27, 25 Mar 2026
Dominic Calvert-Lewin in England training
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin in England training(Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin says he has never felt as loved as he does at Leeds United and thanks the club for their role in his England call-up, having been “a million miles away” from it at the start of the season.
Calvert-Lewin has a “real chance” of getting minutes against Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay in Friday’s friendly, according to Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel, who has presented the striker with the chance to get his first cap in five years. He has already taken part in training this week.
Like Tottenham Hotspur’s Dominic Solanke, Calvert-Lewin - who has 10 goals this season - has been brought into camp so Tuchel can take a closer look at what he offers ahead of the World Cup. The forward, who won the Under-20s edition in 2017, has never been to a senior World Cup finals.
A return to the England squad has seemingly always been one of his long-term objectives and the 28-year-old is delighted that he has been given the one thing he wanted - an opportunity to impress.
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“It is hard to put into words,” Calvert-Lewin told Leeds club media of his England selection. “It has been a long road to get that recognition of having the opportunity to represent England again, so I am absolutely delighted!”
Tuchel had held a video call with Calvert-Lewin the day before the England squad was announced where the manager explained how some of those in the current camp will be sent home before the friendly with Japan, with 11 others set to join after Friday’s game.
Calvert-Lewin is over the moon about getting the chance to showcase himself again. “Obviously I was very happy,” he added of the call.
“He [Tuchel] was explaining how it's going to work in the week and it is an opportunity for me to impress and get in front of him, which is all I can ask for.”
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Calvert-Lewin thanked Leeds as a club and his family for supporting him in his journey back to representing his country. “It has been really nice. I cannot say I have ever felt love like it,” he said of Leeds.
“It has been really special and I have appreciated it a lot from the players and staff and the people at the club. I have definitely felt everyone's genuine happiness for me and it has been a really nice experience.
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“We have still got a lot to achieve ourselves at club level so I am still very much focused on my job here, and I am really proud that my time here has helped me to represent England again.”
He added: “It is always nice when a plan comes together, we spoke a lot together about what the next steps where, and I can’t wait to get out there and feel how special it's going to be.
“It has been a long road. I was a million miles away from where I am now, not so long ago. So I thank my wife and my daughter who are my foundation around me, as I would not be in this position without them!”