Leeds United frontman Dominic Calvert-Lewin lauded as 'revelation' by ex-Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan
Simon Jordan identifies Leeds United player who has been a 'revelation' in the Premier League this season
Leeds United marksman Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been lauded as a “revelation” by pundit and former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan.
Last summer, when Calvert-Lewin’s Everton contract expired, he found himself at a crossroads. He had struggled with injury and form issues which had kept him away from the England set-up and a fresh start was seemingly required.
He was picked up by on a free transfer by Leeds, who fended off competition from elsewhere to land the 29-year-old.
The Yorkshireman has since notched 12 goals in 35 appearances for the Whites, regaining his confidence and forcing his way back into the England reckoning. He made his long-awaited Three Lions comeback last month, stepping off the bench in a 1-1 friendly draw with Uruguay at Wembley.
His goals at club level have put Leeds in a promising position with four games of their Premier League season remaining. Daniel Farke’s side sit six points clear of the relegation zone, with 18th place currently occupied by Tottenham Hotspur.
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Simon Jordan lauds Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Jordan told talkSPORT: “I expected Leeds to stay up, I didn’t expect the furore about Daniel Farke to form the thinking for the first quarter of the season.
“But notwithstanding that, I expected Leeds [to stay up], given the scale of the football club. Calvert-Lewin is a revelation for me, the fact he has kept himself fit and provided a real threat.
“I watched your team batter Palace at Christmas, batter them. And no one’s really given Leeds a hard time beside Arsenal in the last four or five months.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s England comeback
Calvert-Lewin’s career resurgence has drawn praise from figures across the world of football. Last month, after his recall to the England squad, ex-Three Lions star Michael Owen suggested there could be a place for him in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
Owen told The Yorkshire Post: “It’s great for Dominic to get a chance to be in the England squad following his performances this season for Leeds.
“This is well-deserved too. He has been out of the England set-up for a while, but is having a very good season for Leeds United. So yes, he should be considered by Tuchel for sure.
“Come the World Cup, my gut feeling is that if Harry Kane is not starting, then Tuchel will look at a false nine to start, for example [Jude] Bellingham. So I feel he just possibly wouldn’t start Calvert-Lewin. However, be valuable as an impact sub, yes, it is feasible for sure.
“England need that kind of player to come off the bench and with his good goalscoring record, he can definitely be that player. You saw what [Ollie] Watkins did for England at the Euros, there is definitely a place in the squad for him.”
Competition for Calvert-Lewin has been provided by Lukas Nmecha, who was signed on a free transfer from Wolfsburg last summer. The Germany-capped forward has also impressed, although there has been very little action for Joel Piroe.
Reports have indicated Piroe could move on at the end of the season, with Middlesbrough and Rangers among those to have been linked.