What new Leeds United signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin told Jermaine Beckford about his fitness off camera

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Leeds United get their Premier League campaign underway on Monday night when David Moyes’ Everton come to town, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin could face his old side.

The England international has joined Leeds on a free transfer after leaving Everton on a free transfer. Calvert-Lewin spent nine years at Everton and could now make his debut against Moyes’ side tonight.

But the likelihood is that Calvert-Lewin will start on the bench given he has been without a club during pre-season. It might be that Calvert-Lewin is introduced in the final third of the match by Daniel Farke.

The big question mark regarding Calvert-Lewin is the 28-year-old’s fitness. Ally McCoist compared his situation to Luke Shaw at Manchester United, describing it as a “problem” ahead of Monday’s clash.

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Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks fantastic, says Jermaine Beckford

He might not have done a pre-season, but footage released by Leeds that includes shots of Calvert-Lewin undergoing his medical does show the striker looking lean. Clearly, he has looked after himself recently.

Speaking to TalkSPORT this morning (18/08, 9.40AM), Leeds icon Beckford says he spoke to Calvert-Lewin off camera before doing an interview for LUTV and shares what Calvert-Lewin told him about his fitness.

Beckford also said the striker looks “fantastic”: “I had a conversation with Dominic, while he was doing his medical at Leeds. One of the questions I asked was on how his injury record may or may not hamper him.

“One of the things that I got, was the maturity I got back. He said he wasn’t quite mature enough to say he wasn’t ready. He pushed himself a bit too soon, ‘now I’m in a much better mindset, I’m feeling great’.

“He looks fantastic by the way, he made me feel a bit embarrassed about my physique. Looking into his eyes and listening to him, I believe this is going to be one of the best versions of Dominic Calvert-Lewin.”

Calvert-Lewin’s minutes since 2020-21 is better than many think

The Premier League season saw Calvert-Lewin and Patrick Bamford break into the England squad. Calvert-Lewin netted 16 goals in 33 Premier League games, and Bamford had a hand in 25 Premier League goals.

Since that season under Carlo Ancelotti, Calvert-Lewin has struggled to recreate his best form with injury playing a part – much like Bamford. But actually, it is nowhere near as bad as many people actually think.

Even Farke made the point in Friday’s press conference that last season, Calvert-Lewin still played 26 times in the Premier League. Hopefully, Calvert-Lewin can rediscover his fitness and form for Leeds.