Credit: Imago

Scott Mason

Fri 17 April 2026 10:10, UK

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goals have no doubt been important for Leeds United, but his role in build-up may be just as essential.

The Whites look in good shape to stay in the Premier League after going six points clear of the drop zone with their win at Old Trafford.

As Leeds gear up for their next clash against Wolves, they could put themselves on 39 points, which may ultimately be enough to ensure another season in the top flight.

That tally would allow them to focus on their FA Cup semi-final with fewer fears about dropping to the Championship.

Leeds’ Premier League rise has no doubt come from strong tactical tweaks from Daniel Farke, and Calvert-Lewin’s presence has been key to that.

Leeds are the most direct team in the Premier League and Dominic Calvert-Lewin is key

Farke’s style since November has shifted quite drastically, with Leeds converting to a more direct way of playing.

The method has borne fruit, but you do need the right profiles of players in order to pull it off and Calvert-Lewin has been central to it.

According to The Athletic, Leeds’ 6.5 seconds and 2.1 passes per shot-ending sequence are both the lowest in the Premier League.

It highlights that the Whites are attacking with both pace and by going direct. The presence of Calvert-Lewin is essential to this method of build-up.

This season, the Englishman is second for aerial duels won by strikers with 101. Only Thierno Barry (112) has more this campaign.

It is an intentional tactic by Farke, shown by the fact Leeds have scored just two goals from sequences that have had nine or more passes.

Without Calvert-Lewin, this style may not have been as possible to pull off, and the Whites may be further emerged in the relegation battle

Leeds do not have a Calvert-Lewin plan B

If Calvert-Lewin is unavailable, the Peacocks do not exactly have a back-up option at their disposal.

Lukas Nmecha, while he is six-foot-one, is not as much of a physical presence as Calvert-Lewin. On average, in his games, he only competes in roughly 2.8 aerial duels per game.

It is far off the English striker’s mammoth total of 8.98 contested aerial duels per game. Perhaps next season, Farke will look to sign a suitable back-up to the 29-year-old.

Haris Tabakovic has emerged as an option for Leeds, and the Bosnian’s frequency of aerial duels, at 6.73 per match, may make him an appropriate purchase.