Dominic Calvert-Lewin will have been the first to admit that had he had his shooting boots on, Leeds United will have been in the hat for the third round of the Carabao Cup.
Coming on in the second half against a young Sheffield Wednesday, Calvert-Lewin made his debut for The Whites. Calvert-Lewin chose Leeds after turning down a lucrative £18m contract at Fenerbahce.
Wearing the no.9, Calvert-Lewin had numerous chances to find the back of the net but the England ace failed to convert three glorious chances. Two went wide, and one he planted right at Ethan Horvath.
Then, in the penalty shootout, Calvert-Lewin blazed his spot-kick over the bar. One of three penalties missed by Leeds players, with Sean Longstaff and Joel Piroe both having their spot-kicks saved.
Daniel Farke says if Dominic Calvert-Lewin will face Newcastle
Tuesday night was the first game that Calvert-Lewin was included in the squad, as he continues to build his fitness up. Farke confirmed again that Calvert-Lewin is team training, but also doing a mini pre-season.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash against Newcastle, Farke indicated that Calvert-Lewin could get a “few minutes” against Eddie Howe’s side and that may just see the striker included in the league squad for the first time.
“Just 12 days of team training, he’s growing day to day. We’re building up his fitness to make him resilient against injury. He has taken part in all our team training and a mini pre-season,” Farke said on the striker.
“These 40 minutes were important. When it comes down to the really important games, we want to have him fit. The international break will help, but right now I seem capable for him playing for a few minutes.
Daniel Farke says why he was happy with Calvert-Lewin’s debut
Calvert-Lewin almost apologised to Leeds fans after the game, describing himself as “disappointed” not to have converted his chances. While the former Everton striker was clearly rusty, Farke was impressed.
The Leeds manager made it clear that he was happy with Calvert-Lewin showing the natural ability to be in the right position to score, even if he could not convert the chances and earn himself a “dream start”.
“Everyone wishes for a dream start. Come in, score the winner, everyone is already signing your name. Football is not dream land. I was pleased with his 40 minutes. He showed his striker instinct,” he said.
“Three or four times, he could have scored. He is blessed with this, you can’t learn this. I liked his instinct to be exactly where a striker should be, I wouldn’t judge him missing chances,” Farke continued today.
Leeds are expected to start with either Piroe or Lukas Nmecha up top on Saturday, though Farke also made it clear he would like a new attacking signing. Graham Smyth says Leeds expect to sign at least one.
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