The 2025/26 campaign has been a topsy-turvy one for Leeds United, with manager Daniel Farke still aiming to navigate the club towards Premier League survival.
The German looked almost certain for the sack at one stage, especially after his side managed to win just one league game out of eight between September and November.
However, his decision to switch from a 4-2-3-1 system to 3-5-2 has certainly aided the Whites’ chances of spending another season dining at England’s top table.
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It led Farke’s men to an incredible run of just one loss in nine outings, subsequently building a respectable gap on the teams below them in the relegation places.
Despite the success, the side have now failed to win any of their last matches, even failing to score in four consecutive games - with one player enduring a huge goal drought.
The struggles of Dominic Calvert-Lewin in recent weeks
During the summer window, Leeds completed the free transfer of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin after his release from Everton - a deal that raised many eyebrows across the division.
His injury issues on Merseyside no doubt played a major factor in his subsequent release, but the 29-year-old has managed to prove a lot of doubters wrong this term.
Dominic-Calvert-Lewin
The Englishman currently sits on 10 league goals in 2025/26 - the most of any player in the squad - even leading to a recall to the national team setup after a six-year absence.
However, Calvert-Lewin has only managed to score once in his last nine league outings - with the forward enduring an uncharacteristic goal drought in Yorkshire.
His last goal came against Nottingham Forest way back at the start of February, with his lack of form no doubt contributing to the side’s struggles in the final third.
There’s no doubt the forward is one of the players who has benefited from the formation change, but Farke desperately needs to find a solution to the recent goalscoring troubles.
How Farke can revive Calvert-Lewin at Leeds
Leeds’ struggles within the final third over recent weeks have no doubt been compounded by the form of former winger Crysencio Summerville at fellow relegation rivals West Ham United.
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The Dutchman departed Elland Road back in the summer of 2024 after the Whites’ failure to secure promotion in the play-off final against Southampton at Wembley.
After a period of struggle at the London Stadium, the 24-year-old has burst into life, often being the Hammers’ go to man for goals over the last few months.
Summerville has scored seven goals in his last 10 games for Nuno Espírito Santo’s men, with his efforts securing five points in their own hunt for survival.
Given his form away from Yorkshire in recent times, the Whites faithful will no doubt be wishing he was still at the club - but Farke could unleash his next version of the attacker.
Winger Noah Okafor has been a superb addition for Leeds this campaign, after the hierarchy paid a reported £18m to land him AC Milan during the summer window.
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The Swiss international, who recently missed a month’s worth of senior action, returned to the squad against Brentford for 21 minutes off the substitutes bench.
His return to fitness could be a huge boost to Farke, but most importantly Calvert-Lewin, with the striker able to benefit from the 25-year-old’s talents in attacking areas.
The big-money summer addition possesses many similarities to Summerville, with both players preferring to operate off the left-hand side and cut onto their stronger right foot.
However, they can both operate centrally, with Okafor able to strike up a partnership with the Whites’ top-scorer and finally revive his goalscoring form.
Noah Okafor - PL stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Pass accuracy
Chances created
Big chances created
Successful dribbles
Cross success
Aerials won
The attacker has created 1.1 chances per 90 this campaign, with 0.2 of which being defined as big chances - numbers which will be music to the ears of Calvert-Lewin.
He also possesses a rapid turn of pace, which has allowed him to complete 2.3 successful dribbles per 90 - the most of any player within the senior ranks this season.
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However, Okafor also has the end product to top off his mazy runs - as seen with his 20% cross completion rate, which could see him provide constant deliveries for the aerially dominant striker.
All of his aforementioned stats highlight his all-round threat within the final third, with Farke desperately needing to unleash him alongside the Englishman.
If he can continue his remarkable figures, whilst adding further goals to his game, there’s no reason why Okafor can’t be their next Summerville and help fire the club to survival come the end of May.
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