Daniel Farke reveals which Leeds United player he has a ‘soft spot’ for

Leeds United have maintained a gap from the relegation zone in recent times, and the unity in the squad is a big reason for their upturn in form.

Back at the start of December, the Whites were firmly in the bottom three and staring down the barrel of an immediate return to the Championship.

However, Lukas Nmecha’s late winner against Fulham means that Daniel Farke’s side have picked up 14 points from their last nine top-flight games.

As Leeds prepare to face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday evening, Farke has revealed that one player in particular has caught his attention this season.

Daniel Farke has understanding with Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Dominic Calvert-Lewin joined Leeds as a free agent last summer, after failing to agree a new contract with Everton.

The 28-year-old is now going into his first game against his old club off the back of eight Premier League goals in his last 10 matches.

Calvert-Lewin has even been touted as an option for England at the World Cup, given his current form, as a potential backup to Harry Kane.

Farke clearly has a good relationship with the centre-forward and has shown that he is able to get the best out of him so far this season.

In an interview with The Times, the Leeds manager revealed that he has a “soft spot” for strikers, like Calvert-Lewin.

Speaking about the former Everton man specifically, Farke said: “Dominic is a top, top striker, a better level than I ever was.

“I don’t have to tell him how to score a goal. But perhaps understanding what is important for those players helps sometimes.”

Can Calvert-Lewin come back to haunt Everton?

Calvert-Lewin struggled in his final season at Everton, only managing to find the back of the net three times in 26 appearances.

However, after seeing the Englishman’s form in front of goal in recent weeks, Moyes must surely be wishing that he kept him around.

Everton’s two strikers, Thierno Barry and Beto, have only scored six Premier League goals between them this term.

Compare that to Calvert-Lewin, who already has nine top-flight goals to his name, and it’s clear that the Toffees made the wrong decision.

Calvert-Lewin vs Beto vs Barry

If he finds the back of the net once again at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, it will simply rub salt into the wound for the Merseyside outfit.

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