Credit: Imago

Daniel Davis

Mon 30 March 2026 14:40, UK

Leeds United will hope that Dominic Calvert-Lewin can put his England disappointment to one side.

Calvert-Lewin was not included in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the friendly against Japan on Tuesday night, despite playing 36 minutes of the 1-1 draw with Uruguay last time out.

The striker had returned to the international fold after a lengthy five-year absence but could not take his opportunity, with his World Cup ambitions now lying in tatters.

His goal drought now stands at seven matches for club and country, with his glaring miss from just yards out at Wembley encapsulating his lack of cutting edge.

Leeds return to action against West Ham in the FA Cup quarter-finals this week, and they will need Calvert-Lewin ready to go again despite his Three Lions nightmare.

What did Alan Shearer say about Dominic Calvert-Lewin?

The frontman has come under stinging criticism, and now, Alan Shearer, who netted 30 times for his country, has piled in by insisting Calvert-Lewin had blown his big chance.

Shearer said on the Rest Is Football podcast: “There’s a lack of forwards for England. I know Calvert-Lewin had a great opportunity that he missed in the second half, but it is alarming the lack of centre forwards who are top-quality centre forwards that we’ve got in our country.

“For Ollie Watkins the other night, with those two playing, Solanke did alright, Calvert-Lewin came on and missed an absolute sitter, I guess he was sat at home thinking, ‘I need to be in the squad.’ Because when you get a chance, you’ve got to score as a striker.”

Calvert-Lewin has continued to work tirelessly during his barren streak, and his team-mates have also benefitted from him turning provider during crucial matches.

But he will know he will be judged by how many goals he is scoring, and despite bagging himself 10 at Elland Road already, his stuttering performances are taking a toll.

Judging by his current form, Tuchel is unlikely to pick Calvert-Lewin in his World Cup squad, with Watkins, Solanke and Danny Welbeck all vying to become Harry Kane’s deputy instead.

Leeds won’t mind Calvert-Lewin absence

Crucially, Calvert-Lewin has remained upbeat despite being removed from the Three Lions’ group, and Daniel Farke must ensure his chin doesn’t crop ahead of a make-or-break run-in.

The ace made his first international appearance since 2021 against Uruguay, while his brief cameo was also just his 12th cap, so his England chances have been few and far between.

In fact, he had been made to wait 1,728 days between his most recent caps, with his half-hour audition a measly return for years of consistent displays in the Premier League.

He would, therefore, have every right to be bitterly disappointed – but again, he has a point to prove. Keeping Leeds up would almost certainly send a resounding message to Tuchel.

His World Cup fate hasn’t been decided just yet, not if he has any say in the matter.