Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Wed 18 March 2026 9:10, UK

Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s lack of physicality is causing an issue at Leeds United. 

First and foremost, without his goals, Leeds would not be in a relegation battle; they’d have been dead and buried well before now.

However, his lack of form as of late has caused plenty of concern, with the Englishman having now scored just one goal from his last nine appearances across all competitions for the Whites. 

Given the battle Leeds face to avoid relegation, they need him to rectify that as a matter of urgency, but also improve on the physical side of his game. 

Stats highlight Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s biggest deficiency

When Calvert-Lewin isn’t among the goals, his impact for Leeds is minimal at best, and that has become increasingly obvious over the last few months. 

Not only does he fail in his attempts to get involved in possession, but he also fails massively in his efforts to shrug off defenders and maintain it.

He lost 13 aerial duels against Crystal Palace, which is the most of any player in the Premier League this season, but that wasn’t just a one-off thing. 

Of the 236 aerial duels he has been involved in this season in the Premier League, he has won just 92, while also having won just 138 of the 354 total duels, including on the ground.

That’s a concern in itself, but those fears would be subdued if Calvert-Lewin thrived in other areas of his game, such as dribbling forward with the ball to create space.

But again, that’s not the case. He’s completed just six of his 25 attempted dribbles this season, while being dispossessed in the other 19.

How do Leeds get the best out of Calvert-Lewin?

If Calvert-Lewin is at his best, then Leeds usually are too.

And the key to getting him back to that stage is by improving the delivery into the box from the wide areas, as well as carving out more clear-cut chances.

Noah Okafor’s injury lay-off has not helped the matter, but with the likes of Willy Gnonto, Dan James, Facundo Buonanotte and Jayden Bogle all available, Daniel Farke has no excuses.

Calvert-Lewin is a penalty area striker, and Leeds need to start utilising him as that.