Leeds United forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin is set to feature for England tomorrow night against Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay.
When Leeds signed Dominic Calvert-Lewin days before the season began back in August, there was a lot of spiky reaction to the news. The 29-year-old’s goalscoring form and history with injuries made it something of a risk for the 49ers.
However, it’s proved to be an incredibly calculated risk that’s paid off. Sitting on 10 goals and an assist for the season, Calvert-Lewin is not only a massive reason for Leeds being four clear of the drop, but also now back in the England setup.
Can Dominic Calvert-Lewin prove his worth to England after Leeds United transformation?
A dip in goalscoring form of late for Calvert-Lewin shouldn’t detract from the fact this is one of his best league seasons to date.
As a result, he’s been rewarded by Thomas Tuchel in what appears to be an audition call-up against Uruguay and Japan. Alongside Spurs’ Dominic Solanke, Calvert-Lewin has a huge opportunity to impress the Three Lions boss and nail his place on the plane for the World Cup.
What Calvert-Lewin could bring to the table compared to his competitors for a backup spot to Harry Kane is his unique profile. Very few strikers in the Premier League possess the aerial prowess that Calvert-Lewin does.
Leeds have seen it first-hand with the majority of his goals coming by virtue of his dominance between the sticks when the ball’s whipped into the box.
A towering header against Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay could cement his place as the understudy to Kane.
Roy Keane issues bitter verdict on Dominic Calvert-Lewin being called up for England
Does Calvert-Lewin deserve to be called up to England? That’s been a hotly-debated topic of late. Calvert-Lewin and Solanke are preferred over other options such as Ollie Watkins, Danny Welbeck, Tammy Abraham and Ivan Toney.
For some reason, Calvert-Lewin is being harshly clubbed together with Solanke for this criticism. One’s got 10 goals this season and provides a unique skill-set as a striker, the other has three league goals this season.
The latest episode of Stick To Football saw the pundits break down the England squad. While Ian Wright was typically delighted for Calvert-Lewin, Roy Keane was typically bitter in his verdict.
“Solanke is in, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, I’m pleased for Dominic,” Wright said.
“I think Welbeck’s better than them two”, Keane remarked.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin deserves England call-up, so does Danny Welbeck – Dominic Solanke should’ve missed out
If any decision was to be made, it should’ve been Solanke dropping out of the squad for Welbeck.
I do think it’s incredibly harsh that Welbeck hasn’t been brought into the side. He’s now the top English scorer in the league. Although, he moved ahead of Calvert-Lewin with a brace against Liverpool, which came after Tuchel had announced his squad.
Both Calvert-Lewin and Welbeck should have been in the side over Solanke. But, Tuchel clearly fancies the two he’s picked over the Seagulls veteran.
The main hope for me is that Calvert-Lewin gives a good account of himself while staying fit. Leeds’ season hinges on him staying fit and in form, so a setback with England is the worst case scenario.
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