Leeds United forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin made his return to England duty on Friday night off the bench in a 1-1 draw against Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay.
The international break this week sees several Leeds players out on duty for their countries, including Dominic Calvert-Lewin returning to the England squad.
A clash against Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay provided Calvert-Lewin and striker competitor Dominic Solanke a pre-World Cup audition.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin misses golden chance to nail England berth under Thomas Tuchel
You might have thought a home clash against a Bielsa side would yield big chances aplenty at both ends. But, it was a largely forgettable match in truth.
Leeds fans had to wait until the 56th minute to see Calvert-Lewin take to the field, replacing Solanke to lead the line.
Calvert-Lewin had a godlen opportunity in the 71st minute to open the scoring, which went begging. A delightful cross to the back post from Cole Palmer was met by the unmarked Leeds man. However, he didn’t get enough on his glancing header and missed from point-blank range.
Former Leeds man Ben White made amends for England 10 minutes later. He tapped in from on the goal line to open the scoring. However, White went from hero to zero as his clumsy late block in the box was penalised. the centre-back caught Federico Vinas in the goalmouth, allowing Fede Valverde a spot-kick to equalise in added time.
Thomas Tuchel delivers honest Dominic Calvert-Lewin verdict as Leeds United watch on
The selection of Solanke and then Calvert-Lewin was clearly a chance for Tuchel to get a closer look at two players he views as potential understudies to nailed-on starter Harry Kane.
Neither scored, but Tuchel was encouraged by what he saw from both players. That is in spite of Calvert-Lewin’s glaring miss from close range.
“With injury from Phil (Foden) we took a double change and it took Dom Calvert-Lewin a little bit to get the press right and to play with the same intensity,” Tuchel said, per the YEP.
“Then Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a big chance for him and he is upset with himself because it was a chance made for him on his head like six metres out so it’s normally a clear goal. He could have made like a statement straight away.
“But we played then through the middle and Dom was always available through the middle and we wanted to play a little bit more through the middle in the second half and he did quite well.
“For me, everyone, they tried to stick to the plan, they tried to put the plan into life and this basically includes everyone and also the two strikers.”
Some encouraging signs but opportunity missed for Leeds United’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Tuchel’s right. If Calvert-Lewin buries what is a bread-and-butter headed chance for him, his chances of being in the England squad in June are so much higher.
If you wanted any sort of chance to drop his way, it’s a free header. He’s been scoring them with his eyes shut for years when the ball gets whipped into the box.
At 0-0, I do think Calvert-Lewin is the profile Tuchel will want in the World Cup to switch things up. His prowess in the air is unmatched by other options, including Solanke.
However, when the chances fall to him, he’s got to take them to impress Tuchel.
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