Leeds laughing at West Ham amid new Calvert-Lewin reveal, it could be difference between relegation
Things could have panned out entirely differently for Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin last summer.
As per Hammers News, Leeds‘ relegation rivals West Ham deeply regret the decision to turn their noses up at the chance of signing the forward on a free transfer.
Then-manager Graham Potter did not fancy signing another forward, thus paving the way for Leeds to pounce.
After a rough period with Everton, Calvert-Lewin would make the move back to Yorkshire, signing for Leeds as they looked to settle back down in the Premier League.
Daniel Farke’s side now sit 15th in the standings, six points clear of the relegation zone, while the Hammers were called into January action – signing Valentin Castellanos, Pablo and Adama Traore.
While the 28-year-old’s impact at Elland Road was far from expected, Leeds are now laughing at their relegation rival’s decision, with Calvert-Lewin scoring 10 goals thus far on the Whites’ survival journey.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s Leeds figures in depth
Scoring just 12 goals across his final three seasons as an Everton player, the common consensus among Toffees supporters was that Calvert-Lewin had no further place at the top-level, with injury woes playing a big part throughout.
Instead, the striker has played an integral role up top for Leeds, scoring 10 times and providing one assist in the Premier League.
Stylistically, Calvert-Lewin is quite the old school number nine, who thrives on chaos inside the box, while his towering frame has seen him become quite the menace from crossing situations – from set-pieces or open play.
Leeds have switched to a more common-sense approach since their promotion, and his physical presence has seen him slot in perfectly at Elland Road, with Leeds scoring 37 top-flight goals compared to the 32 of West Ham, 29 for Burnley, and 25 for Nottingham Forest.
- Read more: Everything Daniel Farke said about Erling Haaland and Dominic Calvert-Lewin before Leeds vs Man City
Leeds leant on experience last summer – it has proven beneficial upon Premier League return
There was a common view last summer that the recruitment at Elland Road was quite underwhelming.
In some instances, it would have been hard to disagree at the time, when clubs expected to be around the Whites continued to recruit top young talents from across the continent.
Instead, Leeds leant on experience, and it has proven highly beneficial upon their return to the Premier League.
Bringing in around £100million worth of talent last summer, every single penny of this was spent on players aged 25 and over.
Leeds are also in a unique group, having solely recruited players between the ages of 25 and 28, something only Arsenal can come close to, with 70 per cent of their business focusing on this range.
Daniel Farke has a squad full of players either in, or entering their prime years, and this will only benefit them further as they look to continue building following their survival.
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