Troy Deeney perplexed by Dominic Calvert-Lewin latest with England as solution suggested
Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains England's most likely back-up option to Harry Kane, but Troy Deeney is not having it.
Calvert-Lewin missed out on the Three Lions' World Cup squad in the summer, but he is back involved for their four fixtures this window.
The 29-year-old was included by Thomas Tuchel over Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney, who are both playing in Saudi Arabia.
Tuchel does not have any other centre-forwards in his squad beyond Calvert-Lewin and undisputed first choice Kane.
Calvert-Lewin was brought on for the final eight minutes of Saturday's dramatic 3-2 UEFA Nations League loss to Spain.
He will likely also be used in England's next three games, but Deeney would not have included him at all if he had his wish.
Who would Troy Deeney have picked instead of Dominic Calvert-Lewin?
Calvert-Lewin is a very reliable presence in the England squad.
Ultimately, whoever is second choice to Kane will only be needed in certain situations - namely when chasing a goal.
Calvert-Lewin knows how to find the net, as his goalscoring record in the past year-and-a-bit at Elland Road shows.
But former striker Deeney believes it would have made more sense to have included someone like youngster Will Lankshear in the squad instead.
Lankshear has eight goals in 10 appearances since joining Middlesbrough from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.
"I already know how this is going to go - I didn't learn anything," Deeney said on talkSPORT's Premier League All Access podcast of England's first post-World Cup match.
“I didn't learn anything when Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on yesterday and made 57 fouls in four minutes. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, respectfully, has done amazing at Leeds. You are not the answer moving forward.
“I would much prefer - and I'm not saying this kid is the answer - but a Will Lankshear. Let’s bring you in. Let's see what you've got long term. Let's see if you can learn from Harry Kane, if you can add [to the team]."
Deeney added: "Dominic Calvert-Lewin at 29, having the best 18 months of his career health-wise, coming in and playing - for Dominic it’s great; for Leeds it's great.
“For England moving forward it’s like, ‘Okay, you're the new Ollie Watkins, you're the new Ivan Toney - you're the new guy that's going to come sit on the bench, to not do anything’, respectfully.”
While it is all well and good Deeney wanting to bed in some younger talent, that should not come at the expense of a player who is ready to do a job in the present.
Calvert-Lewin is pretty much the dream back-up option for Tuchel in that he is someone who accepts his role and is ready to do a job when required.
Why Calvert-Lewin is unlikely to get much more this window
Calvert-Lewin will be desperate to start one of England's remaining three Nations League games this window.
These games are a hybrid between friendlies and competitive fixtures. A chance to experiment, while also still needing to get results.
Despite that, there is little chance of Calvert-Lewin starting over Kane.
Tuchel has already said Kane is "desperate" to play in every one of England's matches.
You would expect the German to grant that wish, even if Bayern Munich may have other ideas.
All Calvert-Lewin can do is take his chances when they do arrive, even if that is as a late substitute.