Daniel Farke has praised new signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin for mentoring exciting Leeds United product Harry Gray as he continues to progress through the academy ranks.
Harry Gray caught the eye in Leeds’ recent National League Cup victory over Scunthorpe, scoring a brilliant hat-trick in a 3-1 win against senior opposition.
His performance earned him a spot on the bench, as he joined James Milner in the exclusive club of Leeds players who have been selected in the squad for a top-flight game before their 17th birthday.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin produced a vintage striker’s display in the game, scoring a looping header and giving the Wolves centre-backs a torrid time as Leeds held on for a much-needed win.
Now, Farke has revealed the role that Calvert-Lewin has played in supporting Gray’s development since arriving at the club.
Daniel Farke praises Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s influence on Harry Gray
Speaking in his weekly press conference ahead of the game against Bournemouth, Farke singled out Calvert-Lewin after his first goal for the club.
According to Farke, Calvert-Lewin has played an important role in helping lift standards behind the scenes, adding significant Premier League experience to the Leeds squad, which is crucial advice for the likes of Gray.
Farke said: “It’s very important for him and also a sign that he’s on a good path, I have to say. From the day he walked in, he’s been brilliant. With his attitude, with his character, his whole behaviour in the dressing room – leading the young players, giving hints to Harry Gray in training.
“Very important, great team-mate. Also, with his experience, he’s the most experienced player in terms of Premier League appearances. Not in an artificial way, but in a natural way, step by step, and also to take on more responsibility in the dressing room.
“But the most important responsibility is still what you deliver on the pitch and what he has done so far. It’s amazing, even in his short-term appearances in the beginning, but also right now, once he’s back, also in the starting line-up. Not just the goal, but also the workload and physical data.
“I have experienced with him a great guy who is also very honoured, very professional, and has not missed one training session so far.”He’s always doing additional work. He has perfect data in terms of strength, in terms of the way he jumps, in terms of his body fat, and he’s always super, super professional.
“If he keeps going like this, then he will be a very important player for us, not just for this season, but also for the mid and long-term future, and we’re all happy to have him.”
Calvert-Lewin’s Premier League experience will be crucial for Leeds United
Although Leeds recruited heavily in the summer transfer window, their squad remains understrength in two key areas.
While Farke has spoken openly about his lack of options in attack, a lack of Premier League experience could prove to be equally important as the season progresses.
Leeds players with more than 50 PL appearances before Wolves:
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 241 games
- Sean Longstaff – 176 games
- Pascal Struijk – 89 games
- Jayden Bogle – 55 games
- Karl Darlow – 53 games
Of the team that started the win over Molineux, only Calvert-Lewin and Sean Longstaff have more than 100 appearances in the English top flight.
Although the likes of Anton Stach, Noah Okafor and Gabriel Gudmunsson have all shown themselves to be capable of cutting it in the Premier League, there is no substitute for experience. In a team which is short of grizzled Premier League pros, Calvert-Lewin can help to set the example.
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