Credit: Tung Manh Phan

Richie Mills

Mon 20 April 2026 8:40, UK

Leeds United took a risk on signing players with questionable injury records, but they have managed their fitness superbly this season.

When Leeds recruited Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha on free transfers last summer, many fans raised their eyebrows.

Less was known about Nmecha, but Calvert-Lewin was a known Premier League entity. His last couple of seasons at Everton were disappointing, as Toffees fans grew weary of their profligate striker.

But between the two Leeds forwards, they have scored 17 vital Premier League goals, which is likely to play a key role in the Whites’ hopes of staying up.

Moreover, Noah Okafor has been injury-prone in his career, but he might be producing the best football of his life at Leeds right now.

As Daniel Farke‘s side sit eight points clear of the relegation zone with five games to go, it seems Leeds’ transfer gamble paid off.

Leeds United’s medical team deliver

The 49ers Enterprises haven’t got a lot wrong since completing a full takeover of Leeds in the summer of 2023.

Some signings have taken some Leeds fans by surprise, but right now, there are very few transfer duds to speak of.

Calvert-Lewin, Nmecha, and £18million summer signing Okafor have had their fair share of injuries, but this season, Leeds’ medical team have managed the trio very well.

The trio have had their fair share of injuries, with Nmecha struggling the most with hamstring problems, Calvert-Lewin was similar, and Okafor has been out with various muscle problems.

And yet this season, Calvert-Lewin has missed just three games due to working on his fitness at the start of the campaign and then struggling with illness.

Nmecha has been sidelined for just four matches with minor hamstring and thigh issues, and Okafor has sat out six games due to adductor and hamstring complaints.

The Swiss international in particular is on a hot streak, with his goal against Wolves after his brace at Manchester United, taking his goals tally to seven for the season.

They could yet get injured before the season finishes. But right now, Leeds deserve a lot of credit for keeping many of their players injury-free.

Leeds face selection dilemma ahead of FA Cup semi-final

Leeds’ 3-0 win over Wolves on Saturday opened up a lot of breathing space on the bottom three as the season draws to a close.

Farke was quick to point out that Leeds’ safety is not assured, but they have exceeded the 38-point goal they set at the start of the campaign.

Leeds have an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley against Chelsea to look forward to on Sunday, but before that, they face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Many Leeds fans want Farke to rotate heavily and focus on the clash with Chelsea, who are on a poor run of form.

Bournemouth are one of the division’s form teams, which is why some Leeds supporters want Farke to wrap his top stars up in cotton wool, but another positive result could seal another year in the Premier League already.

Some changes are likely, but it remains to be seen how strong the German will go against the Cherries, with that huge trip to Wembley on the mind of many already.