Leeds United have not had the strongest start to the 2026/27 campaign as an attacking force in the Premier League, having scored nine goals in seven matches.
Four of the nine goals that they have scored so far came in one match against Newcastle United, as the Whites won 4-1 against the Magpies at Elland Road.
That means that Daniel Farke‘s team have only scored five goals in their other six matches in the division so far this season, which illustrates where they have been at their weakest this term.
However, their starting centre-forward, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, has been one of the club’s leading performers in the Premier League in recent weeks.
Where Calvert-Lewin still needs to improve
The England international has scored four goals in seven matches in the top-flight so far this term, on par with his xG of 3.72, and boasts an impressive conversion rate of 29%.
He scored the equalising goal against Manchester United last time out at Elland Road and has bailed the club out several times this season with his goals.
However, Calvert-Lewin has also only completed 54% of his attempted passes, has not created any ‘big chances’ for his teammates, and has lost 68% of his ground duels in the league.
|
26/27 Premier League |
Calvert-Lewin |
|---|---|
|
Appearances |
7 |
|
xG |
3.72 |
|
Goals |
4 |
|
Pass accuracy |
54% |
|
xA |
0.14 |
|
Big chances created |
0 |
|
Assists |
0 |
|
Ground duel success rate |
32% |
The experienced striker still needs to improve his work with the ball on the deck because he has lost too many physical duels on the floor, which is impacting his passing and his creativity.
Calvert-Lewin needs to emulate former Leeds star
There was a former Leeds centre-forward who was the poster boy for the qualities that Calvert-Lewin needs to improve on, and that was Mark Viduka.
The Australian marksman scored 72 goals and provided 19 assists in 166 appearances in all competitions during his time at Elland Road, but it was his physicality in the number nine role that really caught the eye of those watching on or playing against him.
LeedsLive journalist Jon Howe lauded the striker as an ‘ominous physical specimen‘, whilst ex-Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher said “you couldn’t stop Viduka in doing what he wanted to do” with the ball at his feet.
Calvert-Lewin needs to emulate the success that Viduka had in his spell with Leeds, as the Australia international brought physicality on the ground and in the air, holding off defenders with the ball at his feet to link play and find his teammates with passes.
Leeds academy star could play like prime Mark Viduka
If the England international is unable to improve at that area of the game, there is an academy player at Thorp Arch who could come for his number nine shirt.
Viduka donned the number nine jersey for four seasons in West Yorkshire, scoring 72 goals, and U21s star Carrick Njinko has the potential to wear the shirt like the Australian in his prime.
The 18-year-old centre-forward, who is also capable of playing out wide, has shown impressive physicality at youth level, as he has eye-catching upper body strength that allows him to hold off defenders and then use his pace to burst past them.
In his only appearance against senior opposition this season, the Leeds youngster showcased his technical and physical qualities against Oldham Athletic in the EFL Trophy.
|
Vs Oldham Athletic |
Carrick Njinko |
|---|---|
|
Minutes |
45 |
|
Shots |
1 |
|
Goals |
1 |
|
Pass accuracy |
78% |
|
Ground duels won |
2/4 |
|
Touches |
14 |
|
Possession lost |
2x |
He completed a high percentage of his attempted passes, won half of his ground duels, and only gave possession back to the League Two side twice in 45 minutes.
Njinko showed great composure on the ball under pressure, due to his physicality, and that allowed him to thrive under pressure and score one of the team’s two goals in a 4-2 loss.
The 18-year-old number nine has now scored nine goals in ten appearances in all competitions for the U21s this season, having moved into a centre-forward position after playing on the wing in previous campaigns.
His powerful style of play has allowed him to thrive in a central role as a striker, making him look like Viduka in his prime, and his exceptional goal return is evidence of that.
Whilst he has yet to prove himself in the first-team at Leeds, Njinko is already showing plenty of signs that he could take Calvert-Lewin’s number nine shirt and remind supporters of Viduka if he can make the step-up to senior level in the future.
