Jamie Carragher says Leeds United free agent is better than £47m Everton pair
Leeds United's free agent striker has been in great form while those at his old home struggle.
Jamie Carragher believes Leeds United have a better striker in Dominic Calvert-Lewin than the team he left for free in the summer.
Calvert-Lewin called time on a nine-year spell at Everton following the expiration of his contract at the end of last season. The 28-year-old held talks over an extension but after seemingly falling behind Beto - a £20m summer Leeds target - in the pecking order, decided to move on and eventually joined Leeds as a free agent in August.
Leeds’ pursuit of Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz was well-documented but so was Fulham’s reluctance to sell, with the Cottagers believed to want around £50m. And in what Whites managing director Robbie Evans described as a ‘really exciting’ evolution of the market, Calvert-Lewin became available and was snapped up.
A slow start in front of goal has really picked up in recent weeks, with Calvert-Lewin scoring in each of his last four Premier League appearances. The former Toffees man is now on five for the season, more than double the combined tally of Everton’s two senior frontmen, Beto and £27million summer signing Thierno Barry, who have one each.
Everton have found plenty of goals from elsewhere to keep them away from relegation trouble but in the striker position, few would argue against their struggles. And Carragher has suggested they might be regretting waving goodbye to Calvert-Lewin, particularly given his recent form in West Yorkshire.
“I think Everton will be rueing letting Calvert-Lewin leave, yeah,” Carragher told Sky Sports after Sunday’s draw. “Listen, I can understand it from both parties’ point of view.
“His new [Everton] deal was probably less money, having missed so many games through injury. I have absolutely no doubt about it, Calvert-Lewin is a better centre-forward than what Everton have right now.”
Daniel Farke’s verdict on Dominic Calvert-Lewin amid Leeds United form
Calvert-Lewin has impressed all season when it comes to all-round striker play but his recent goalscoring run has really caught the eye. A change of formation and more direct approach has brought the best out of Leeds’ free agent striker, who is less isolated and more likely to be found with quality crosses.
That was exactly what happened at Brentford, with substitute Willy Gnonto’s cross from the right perfectly placed. Calvert-Lewin used every ounce of his experience to work the space, standing offside behind the Bees defence before drifting back onside as the ball came in.
Recent goals have also seen Calvert-Lewin return to the England national team conversation ahead of next summer’s World Cup, with suggestions he could make the squad if current form continues. And manager Farke appeared to fight his striker’s corner when it came to that debate.
“He’s a fantastic striker, that was never in doubt,” the Leeds boss told BBC sport following Sunday’s draw. “His CV speaks for itself. Since the day he walked through the door, an unbelievable human being, unbelievably great worker, unbelievable teammate for the lads and an excellent striker.
“For me, one of the best English strikers in the Premier League. Harry Kane is playing in Germany but in the Premier League, Dominic is definitely one of the top strikers. We are blessed to have him.”