Leeds United‘s recruitment since being promoted to the Premier League has been exceptional.
Just over a year ago, they and Sunderland laid the blueprint for all newly promoted sides. Previously, those entering England’s top flight had been thrown into a pool of sharks and expected to swim.
Year after year, they were sent packing to the Championship at the first time of asking. Leeds and the Black Cats bucked that trend.
The Whites, in particular, have done an admirable job and the fact they have lost just once in 2026/27 speaks volumes. Their best signings? Well, Tarik Muharemovic is certainly up there, but based on goals alone, you cannot look past Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
How Calvert-Lewin has become one of the Premier League’s best
In the summer of 2025, Leeds took a huge punt. In their quest to stay in the division, they knew they needed goals and they turned to a free agent striker by the name of Calvert-Lewin.
It was a gamble as the centre-forward’s recent injury history had been incredibly concerning. On top of that, he had scored just 13 goals in his final three seasons at Everton.
It was no surprise to see the Merseysiders release him but that has been to the advantage of Daniel Farke who, as the German admits, has helped transform Calvert-Lewin into “the best English striker in the Premier League.”
The 29-year-old isn’t just the best English striker; he’s one of the very best in the top league, full stop.
From those final three years of struggle at Goodison Park, Calvert-Lewin is a man transformed. He’s now back in the England setup and he’s thriving.
Since arriving at Elland Road, only four players have scored more goals in the Premier League than Calvert-Lewin.
He’s one of the best, alright. A poacher with incredible penalty box instincts, there are very few players in world football Farke would trade Calvert-Lewin for.
He more than deserves his role as back-up to Harry Kane for the Three Lions right now.
Why Leeds need competition for Calvert-Lewin
Calvert-Lewin has been so good that if you are playing second fiddle at Leeds, it is hard to get past him.
Leeds’ top scorer from their Championship promotion season in 2024/25, Joel Piroe, has already taken his leave and it would not be a surprise to see Lukas Nmecha head for pastures new in January 2027.
Like his colleague in the final third, he arrived on a free transfer in the summer of 2025 and, given the lack of a price tag, he’s been a valuable addition to Leeds’ ranks.
He has scored seven goals in 45 matches, which, considering he has barely started, is a handy tally. Alas, 2026/27 has been a struggle for Nmecha.
The striker is yet to find the net across eight appearances. He is yet to start a Premier League game and he’s not played more than 21 minutes in any fixture outside of the EFL Cup.
So, heading into the new year, Farke and his recruitment team need to look at bolstering that area of the pitch.
How Leeds could find competition for Calvert-Lewin
Farke’s change in formation just under a year ago had largely led to Leeds playing without out-and-out wingers.
Calvert-Lewin has always been the main man in attack, but he has actually been part of a two-pronged forward line, one that’s usually featured Noah Okafor.
The Swiss ended last term in the form of his career, netting six goals in his final seven outings of the campaign. Yet, this season, he has just one goal to show for his efforts across nine appearances in all competitions.
An improvement is required, so how about Club Brugge’s Nicolo Tresoldi? Well, he might not just be the perfect foil for Calvert-Lewin but he could also represent an upgrade on the England man.
Reports from Belgian publication Het Laatste Nieuws claim this week that a number of clubs, including Everton, Leeds and Newcastle are sending scouts to watch the forward in action for his side when they face Lens in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
They will face competition from Arsenal for the German’s signature but if the Whites can surge forward to the front of the queue and secure a deal, they will be getting their hands on a mighty fine striker.
Reportedly valued at £50m, over the last few years, Tresoldi has firmly established himself as the best striker in the Belgian top flight. Last term, he outscored Calvert-Lewin by bagging as many as 23 goals. Back at Leeds, their number 9 beat the goalkeeper on 15 occasions.
This term, as good as Leeds’ main man has been again, Tresoldi is clear once more. He’s on nine goals heading into that clash with Lille from only 12 appearances.
So, besides goals, what is he all about? Celebrated as a “Luis Suarez regen” by scout Jacek Kulig, here is what the data tell us.
|
Tresoldi vs Calvert-Lewin in 2025/26 |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (per 90 mins) |
Tresoldi |
DCL |
|
Goals |
0.68 |
0.46 |
|
Non-penalty xG |
0.60 |
0.40 |
|
Shots |
3.64 |
2.44 |
|
Assists |
0.18 |
0.03 |
|
Chances created |
1.37 |
0.66 |
|
Successful dribbles |
0.68 |
0.26 |
|
Aerial duels won |
2.20 |
4.23 |
|
Touches in oppo box |
6.19 |
4.46 |
Well, while you do need to take into consideration the quality difference between the two leagues, last campaign was a resounding success for Tresoldi who trumped Calvert-Lewin in most metrics.
For aerial duels, Leeds’ current striker is way clear, but then again, he is one of the best in that department in Europe.
For Tresoldi, he brings those Suarez-like qualities to the table via his all-round profile. He’s not just capable of finding the net but he can also act as the supply line, creating as many as 1.37 chances per 90 minutes in the Jupiler Pro League last term.
That should be music to the ears of Calvert-Lewin who could look forward to playing in an extremely productive two-pronged attack. However, he should also be wary. Tresoldi isn’t the sort of striker who comes to play as your back-up; he’d want to be the main man.
