Farke’s “electric” Leeds star can make Calvert-Lewin even more unplayable
Leeds United are on a run of form that is putting some vital daylight between themselves and the bottom three of the Premier League.
The Whites have now gone five games without defeat, which has included a win over Chelsea and draws to Liverpool and, most recently, away to Sunderland.
Daniel Farke’s side are now seven points clear of the drop zone, and are looking comfortable in 16th place in the Premier League. Of course, there is a long way to go, but they are the only side in the bottom six who have not lost in their last five games.
A large reason they are on such a good streak is due to the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Why Calvert-Lewin is the striker signing of the summer
It might have taken 28-year-old Calvert-Lewin some time to bed in at his new club, Leeds, but the former Everton striker has well and truly arrived at Elland Road. He has eight goals in 16 games so far this term, more than any other English striker in the Premier League.
Indeed, it was a slow start to life in his native Yorkshire. Calvert-Lewin managed just one goal in his first ten games, but the 11-cap Three Lions star has now found the back of the net seven times in his last six appearances.
The Whites have been playing some exceptional football of late, which the Englishman has been a beneficiary of. Just look at this strike against Sunderland last weekend, where he finished off a brilliant team move.
Calvert-Lewin’s movement in the penalty box has always been second to none, and that has certainly aided his incredible purple patch.
Considering his red-hot form and free transfer capture, he could easily be seen as the best striker signing in a summer that saw the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak all make high-profile moves.
|
DCL vs PL Summer Signings* |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
PL Games |
PL Goals |
|
Sesko |
13 |
2 |
|
Isak |
10 |
2 |
|
Ekitike |
17 |
8 |
|
Gyokeres |
16 |
5 |
|
Delap |
9 |
0 |
|
J. Pedro |
18 |
6 |
|
Woltemade |
15 |
7 |
|
Calvert-Lewin |
16 |
8 |
|
*selected |
||
As seen above, only Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike can match his tally of those summer movers, albeit with the Reds having had to pay £69m for their newest star.
Calvert-Lewin is then the man of the moment, although, incredibly, Farke might be able to make him even more unplayable by giving an opportunity to one of his attackers.
The Leeds attacker who's perfect for Calvert-Lewin
There is no shortage of attacking options at Farke’s disposal. This summer alone, Leeds signed Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor to add to their depth in forward areas ahead of their Premier League return.
Perhaps rather surprisingly, there has not been much of an opportunity for Wilfried Gnonto this season. The Italian has only featured ten times in the top flight, and whilst he did miss a spell with injury, has somewhat fallen out of favour.
However, he has been well-used by Farke in the past. Last season in the Championship, a campaign in which Leeds topped the table, he contributed 15 goals and assists in 43 appearances.
His numbers from last season are exceptional, showing just how big a talent the 22-year-old is. For example, he averaged 0.59 goals and assists and a take-on completion rate of 48.3% per 90 minutes.
That ranked him in the top 6% and 15% of Championship attackers.
|
Gnonto – 24/25 Championship stats |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stat (per 90) |
Number |
Percentile |
|
Goals & assists |
0.59 |
94th |
|
Key passes |
1.82 |
84th |
|
Progressive passes |
4.9 |
92nd |
|
Take-on success rate |
48.3% |
85th |
|
Carries into final third |
2.41 |
90th |
|
Stats from FBref |
||
It certainly begs the question, why is the winger not getting any game time this season?
Farke knows exactly the threat he can offer in the final third, with his direct nature and the ability to pull off strikes like this.
However, Gnonto offers more than his three-dimensional final third ability. The Italian is also a good creator, averaging 1.82 key passes each game last term.
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For someone like Calvert-Lewin, who has already been in such good form, that is the dream to have alongside you in attack.
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Described as an “electric” forward by Statman Dave, it is easy to see what the Italy international could add to this Leeds side.
His pace and directness are a huge plus, but it is the danger he offers in the final third which can really help his side, and Calvert-Lewin.
The Englishman is on a superb run of form at the moment, and that will surely only be enhanced by adding Gnonto into the mix.
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