Leeds United have now named their starting eleven to face Everton in their season opener, making a big call on Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was announced as the latest signing for Leeds United ahead of their Premier League return on the Friday before their season opener.
However, although Calvert-Lewin was registered in time, he missed out on a reunion with his former club after Daniel Farke decided not to name him in his matchday squad.
Instead, Joel Piroe will lead the line for the Whites in their top-flight return, with summer signing Lukas Nmecha providing an option in attack from the bench.
However, despite Calvert-Lewin’s poor injury record in recent years, his absence should not concern Leeds fans, as Farke hinted that he would need time to integrate him into the team in the build-up to the game.
Daniel Farke has already explained the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Speaking in his press conference on the Friday before the clash with Everton (15th August), Farke explained that he would not rush Calvert-Lewin into the firing line.
Farke stated that he would allow his new striker to build up his fitness step by step as he is integrated into the Leeds squad.
The Leeds boss said: “His last few seasons were a bit interrupted by a few injuries, but also by doing this, he still managed to play 26 games, for example, last season.
“[It’s] a chance for him also to revive his career and to reach former heights when he was really outstanding also on Premier League level. And also a big chance for us because we got a proven Premier League player. So the key is for him right now also not to be over-motivated.
“We will build his fitness step by step so that he finds also the confidence better back in his body and then also his confidence and his rhythm back. If he does so, then he has shown what he can do, and he can be outstanding for us.”
At least three players to make debut against Everton
Whilst Calvert-Lewin misses out on Leeds’ season opener against Everton, the Leeds fans will see at least three of their new signings in action.
Lucas Perri is selected in goal and starts behind a back four featuring debutant Gabriel Gudmundsson and surprise inclusion Jayden Bogle, who has recovered from injury.
Anton Stach is the other debutant in the Leeds squad, having been named in a three-man midfield alongside Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka.
Three more new faces are included on the Leeds bench, with Nmecha taking his place alongside Sebastiaan Bornauw and Sean Longstaff.
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