Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Key strength: Link-up play

Target man

In a season of survival scrapes at Elland Road, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has emerged as Leeds United's unlikely salvation. With Daniel Farke's side precariously perched 15th in the Premier League, navigating a volatile L-W-D-W-D sequence that reflects their inconsistency, the 29-year-old England striker has been the one beacon of reliability. Ten goals from 27 appearances—wearing the iconic number 9 shirt—have made Calvert-Lewin the focal point of Leeds' attack, his 1,845 minutes on the pitch a testament to a body finally freed from the injury nightmares that stalked his Everton tenure. Standing 1.89m tall, he operates as a classic target man, using his aerial dominance to win knock-downs while his refined link-up play brings midfielders like Anton Stach into dangerous positions—though with just one assist, his brief is unambiguous: finish chances, ask questions later. Valued at €22 million and contracted until 2028, this is no temporary fix. For a striker rediscovering his scoring touch, Leeds may prove the stage where Calvert-Lewin writes his defining chapter.