Leeds United fans will love Dominic Calvert-Lewin's brilliant response to England call-up question
The in-form Leeds United striker is being discussed to join Thomas Tuchel’s squad at next summer’s World Cup.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin would love to be involved at next year’s World Cup but insists his focus is on scoring the goals that keep Leeds United in the Premier League.
Calvert-Lewin notched his fifth goal of the Premier League season to earn Leeds a point at Brentford, cancelling out Jordan Henderson’s opener with a towering 82nd-minute header. The 28-year-old has now scored in each of his last four games, a run not enjoyed since 2020.
It was around that time that Calvert-Lewin was in the England picture as back-up for Harry Kane, with a run of fitness and form seeing his name resurface in discussions surrounding next summer’s squad. But for Leeds’ leading man, the immediate focus is on contributing to the survival bid of his club.
“It’s always the goal, to play for your country and represent them at a World Cup,” Calvert-Lewin told Sky Sports following Sunday’s draw at Brentford. “But for me, my job is to do as best as possible for Leeds United.
“That's what I came here to do, score goals at club level and just play my best football. The rest takes care of itself doesn’t it?”
Leeds didn’t sign Calvert-Lewin just for his goals, and not only for his brilliant hold-up play either. The striker is among a handful of Daniel Farke’s squad to have experienced the highs and lows of a Premier League relegation battle, having fought to survive in the majority of his nine years at Everton.
Pascal Struijk, Ethan Ampadu and Jayden Bogle are among those to have endured difficult top-flight campaigns and new signing Calvert-Lewin is quickly joining them as a vocal member of the squad. And on Sunday the striker also revealed what he told teammates ahead of a tricky period that has brought promise, rather than trepidation.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin on Leeds United ‘turning point’
“I think there’s certain moments in seasons where there's a turning point, and I think that second half [at Manchester City] was definitely a turning point for us,” he said. “Going into that tough week and I was saying among the group we’re not defined by one game but this is a very important week and depending on how we do this week could decide how we go into Christmas.
“I think that performance against City in the second-half definitely gave us the confidence to go into Chelsea believing we could compete at this level. We started the season well and had a little wobble but we’ve found our feet. We have top players across the board that can compete at this level and it's about bringing it all together and ultimately performing on a matchday.”
Leeds are back in front of their own supporters this weekend, with an impressive Crystal Palace side due at Elland Road on Saturday night. Farke’s side have been brilliant at home this season and Calvert-Lewin knows how it can feel walking out on either side of the battle.
“You have to use that in your favour,” the Whites striker added. “As a new Leeds player, feeling that atmosphere has been incredible. The away fans travelling as well.
“It’s an unbelievable fanbase and you definitely feel that as a player, you know away teams coming to Elland Road, they are going to find it tough because we've got us and the fans behind us, it can be a hostile place to play.”