Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has been told that his side’s chances of avoiding relegation from the Premier League could hinge on one player.
With just three points separating Leeds and the relegation zone, Daniel Farke knows there is no margin for error despite his side’s recent upturn in form.
Leeds have suffered a run of injuries in recent weeks, which have prevented Farke from naming his strongest side, with Lukas Nmecha missing the game against Brentford, and the likes of Sean Longstaff and Dan James out for the medium to long term.
However, Farke has now been warned that none of those players are as important to his side’s survival hopes as centre-forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose goals will be crucial to the Whites.
Answer this: Leeds United will finish in ___th place if Dominic Calvert-Lewin stays fit 📊
Six goals in five for the big man!
Leeds United’s survival hopes rest on Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Speaking to the Two Robbies podcast, former Middlesbrough midfielder Robbie Mustoe warned Farke that Leeds’ survival hopes still hang in the balance.
According to Mustoe, he predicted that Leeds would be relegated because he believed that Calvert-Lewin could not stay fit for the entire season, and he is still concerned that this could still be the case.
Mustoe said: “I’ve liked Leeds. I mean, we all know winning games in the Premier League is very difficult, but I’ve liked Leeds generally.”
Before adding: “Dominic Calvert-Lewin, he’s the guy. He’s got to work for you. If Dominic Calvert-Lewin can have a season with a good goal tally, they can stay in the league.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in elite company 🔥⚽
Only two players in Europe's top 5 leagues have scored in the last 4 games
“It’s just history, and that’s why I predict them to go down, that he can’t maintain fitness or that level to get those 12 to 15. I kind of like the system they’re playing right now. I think the wingbacks suit them more.
“They haven’t got great wingers, so having wingbacks provides the width. They’ve got plenty of good, I think Anton Stach is a good midfield player and other options in there as well, and play two up front. So I kind of like them, but it’s going to be a slog. They’re going to be right in the mix.”
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Stats show the value of Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goals
Leeds have collected 16 points from their opening 16 games this season, as they look to keep pace with Farke’s target of one point per game to secure their survival.
Calvert-Lewin has scored in five of those games, and the value of those goals is proven by the average points per game when he has scored.
Leeds have lost just once when Calvert-Lewin has found the net, claiming eight points from those five games, at an average of 1.6 points per game.
By contrast, Leeds have taken eight points from their other 11 games, with just two wins and an average points per game total of 0.72, highlighting the importance of the England international to Farke’s side.
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