'He's got more to do' - Wayne Rooney delivers verdict on Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Wayne Rooney believes Leeds United marksman Dominic Calvert-Lewin has more to do in order to earn a place in England’s World Cup squad.
Calvert-Lewin was last capped by England in 2021 and has since seen other forwards leapfrog him in the pecking order.
However, his scintillating form has put him back in conversations about the options at Thomas Tuchel’s disposal.
The 28-year-old has registered six goals in his last five games, with the most recent two coming in Leeds’ 4-1 win over Crystal Palace at the weekend.
Verdict on Dominic Calvert-Lewin
On Match of the Day, Premier League and England legend Rooney weighed in on Calvert-Lewin’s World Cup prospects.
He said: “He’s doing everything right, but he’s got more to do, I think, until the end of the season.
“He is doing what he does best at the moment. He is a handful in the box, he is good in the air, and he is scoring goals, so again, he’s putting himself in the bracket of getting in that squad. But he has to carry on this form until the end of the season.
“We spoke about Danny Welbeck a few weeks ago, and now it is Calvert-Lewin. I think Ollie Watkins is still the one for me who is next in line behind Harry Kane.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s resurgence
Calvert-Lewin is a player Rooney knows well, having played with him at Everton. Leeds’ number nine spent nearly a decade on Merseyside, scoring 71 goals in 273 appearances.
He was the subject of intense transfer speculation for a lengthy period in the build-up to his Everton exit and was linked with various footballing heavyweights.
However, he opted to join Leeds on a free transfer in August after a spell on the free agent market.
When asked about the Sheffield United academy graduate at the weekend, Leeds boss Daniel Farke said: “Right now he’s on the on a path to be a top-class player for Leeds United and also a Leeds United hero.
“But you know my attitude - I don’t like to speak about quality and top-class players just after a few weeks or a good couple couple of months.
“You have to show this with consistency over the whole season. But if he keeps going in this way and keeps delivering, then we would speak about an outstanding season. I want him to keep going, not to be happy with a good couple of months and a good few weeks - so he has to continue.”