The Leeds United attacker will find out his World Cup fate on Friday
Dominic Calvert-Lewin ’s stoppage-time winner against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday was the perfect final message to Thomas Tuchel.do not play again until after the England boss announces his World Cup squad on Friday and so the striker can therefore do no more.
Fourteen Premier League goals is more than anyone foresaw back upon his arrival at United in the summer.on the pitch after seasons of disrupted rhythm and the club put their faith in the medical department. It was a gamble, but one that has mightily paid off - the attacker has not missed a Premier League game through injury all season.
That has been the foundation which has not only propelled his form but has helped Leeds stay in the Premier League. As“We can always play to him and we know that he's going to fight for that ball and give his best to keep it for us up there. He just brings so much to our game. ” Calvert-Lewin does boast qualities no other Harry Kane back-up does; height, someone to lump it up to and aerial physique.
He is also a poacher, as was seen against Brighton. The 29-year-old received his first England call up for nearly five years in March as a reward for his success at Leeds, marking an incredible personal turnaround. His exit from camp after Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay - against whom the substitute missed a free header - was pre-planned.
Dominic Solanke’s injury gives Calvert-Lewin’s chances of making Tuchel’s final 26-man squad a boost yet 14-goal Ollie Watkins, who has more-recent tournament experience following Euro 2024, has picked up form. Five goals in his last five Premier League outings marginally trumps Calvert-Lewin’s four in five - albeit he is playing in a side that is in a Europa League final and will finish in a Champions League spot.
Calvert-Lewin has had to rat around for chances yet is still level on the same number of Premier League goals at Leeds. He has also played 15 games fewer than Watkins, which will stretch to 16 after the Europa League final. Freshness is important. There is, of course, a case to take both strikers as back-ups given they boast different qualities.
However, Tuchel could deem it pointless given Kane is the immovable captain and Marcus Rashford could act as a reverse third choice if needed. This, then, might work against Calvert-Lewin given Kane can play as a target man but is hardly the sprinter Watkins is. But his case for a plane ticket is far from weak and there is still the chance three are taken. In the early stages of the tournament England will likely come up against low blocks.
Calvert-Lewin has often gone through games with barely a sniff yet has still managed to get on the scoresheet or at the least make an impact that has led to a goal. Naysayers may point to his five goals and suggest this bloats his figures - but surely that is a case to take him to a tournament where spot kicks may be required. The Leeds ace has scored 10 penalties across his career - four more than Watkins.
And don’t sniff at his 2017 Under-20 World Cup winner’s medal either, having scored the winner in the final after starting alongside Solanke. It could be the Spurs man that is ultimately the fall guy. Form is key going into a tournament and Solanke has none amid his setback. That said, form is not everything.
Experience, attributes and having something different is also important. Luckily, Calvert-Lewin has all of the above. Friday will be reckoning day for Calvert-Lewin. He deserves to go.
But even if not, the progress he has made this season is a credit to the player and the club. He is of international acumen once again.
England Football Team Dominic Calvert-Lewin
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