Nottingham Forest v Leeds United: Daniel Farke sets target for 'prime' Dominic Calvert-Lewin
AS far as Daniel Farke is concerned, there will be one common denominator in the fact that Joe Rodon, Brendan Aaronson and Jayden Bogle have signed new deals with Leeds United this week.
All are undoubtedly happy, that goes without saying.
What it confirms, more than anything, is that they and their manager see their peak years - late 20s - being played out at Elland Road.
Also throw captain Ethan Ampadu into the equation after he agreed fresh terms in June.
At 29, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is at that high-yield stage.
Speak to Farke and it’s clear that he feels there is more to come, all being well, from a player who was recalled by England back in March and featured in a Wembley friendly against Uruguay.
The evidence of last season suggests that the Sheffield-born forward is aging like a fine wine.
Where there was once a perceived wisdom that forwards peak a few years either side of the mid-20s mark, the feats of several successful modern number nines suggest things are now different.
Think Harry Kane for instance and Robert Lewandowski. Others have plundered plenty of goals at the highest level until well into their 30s.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Edin Dzeko and Jamie Vardy are three other such names that spring to mind in that regard.
On the notion of top-level strikers improving with age, Farke said: "Harry Kane started to score goals from 24-25. Before, (it was) not that much.
"We also had Patrick Bamford here as an example. He also started in his mid-20s to score goals. It is often the case for a striker.
“It’s very rare at a young age, 19-20 years old, for a striker to score goals. "There are very rare exceptions. Erling Haaland is one, but that is also due to the fact he started more or less not in the best league in the world at the senior level and adapted to it and found his confidence.
"If you have to start at Bundesliga or Premier League level, then it takes a little while until you find your confidence and rhythm against proper defenders. This is what happens.
“Dominic has done this more or less. Also in his mid-20s he was excellent, with his goal record there for Everton, but then there were two or three difficult years. “But right now, hopefully, he comes into his prime and and if he delivers further on, then it becomes a topic again for the national team and hopefully for the next tournament."
Back in January, Farke labelled Calvert-Lewin as one of the best English strikers around.
It came on the back of a winter run which saw him join a group of just 15 players to score in seven successive Premier League games.
He was named the top-flight player-of-the-season for December.
Typically, Farke provided a caveat, cajoling his no. 9 to turn a solid season into an ‘outstanding one’.
He duly did that and ended his first campaign at the club with an excellent 15 goals, becoming a bit of a talismanic force.
Double figures arrived by virtue of a striker’s goal, a chested finish at a key juncture early in the second half against today’s opponents Nottingham Forest in a game at Elland Road in February.
A 3-1 victory was important in the context of Leeds allaying relegation fears.
Calvert-Lewin is Leeds’ leader of the pack, for sure, at the top end of the pitch and Farke’s confidence in him helped ensure that the club did not deem it necessary to try and break the bank in their January pursuit of Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Professionally and personally, Farke was disappointed for Calvert-Lewin that he missed out on World Cup participation in June and July.
A minor knee issue ensured that the frontman played catch-up in early pre season. But he is very much ready to go now.
Farke continued: "I was a bit concerned because of course there’s a bit of disappointment from missing the World Cup, the summer break and then he missed the first few weeks of pre-season due to a problem he had with his knee at the end of last season.
"It was not an ideal start but since he’s back in team training, his performances in the games were excellent and in the last weeks, I think he was outstanding. He looked sharp and fresh.
“We always have no guarantees that this translates into the new season. But the early signs are good and fingers crossed if he stays fit and is as hungry as he is then hopefully he adds another really good season.
"More of the same, double figures would be great and top performances.
“He will be a key figure for us and we need him also in the best possible shape.”