Farke compares in-form Leeds striker Calvert-Lewin to ‘a good wine’

Syndicated reporting provided by Stats Perform and reviewed by the SoccerNews editorial team.

Daniel Farke likened Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin to “a good wine” after his fine form was rewarded with a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. 

Calvert-Lewin has made a strong start to the Premier League season, scoring three goals in his first four league games, with only Erling Haaland (four) scoring more in the top flight. 

He became just the second Leeds player to score in five consecutive Premier League appearances at Elland Road after netting twice in a 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle United. 

Only Mark Viduka between March and August 2003 has achieved the feat for Leeds, while the last Englishman to score in six successive top-flight outings at home for Leeds was Arthur Hydes between October and December 1932. 

Calvert-Lewin subsequently earned a recall to England’s 26-man squad for their upcoming Nations League fixtures, having missed out on a spot for this summer’s World Cup. 

He played 34 minutes in a 1-1 draw with Uruguay during the March international break, which marked his first appearance for England since 2021 during his time at Everton.

But after earning a recall to the Three Lions set-up, Farke was thrilled to see Calvert-Lewin’s fast start to the campaign earn him the chance to impress Tuchel. 

“Dominic is like a good wine, getting better by the year. Physically, he’s at a top level and his pace is more than good enough, I would say. He’s a very complete striker.”

James Trafford and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have been named in England’s latest squad to face Spain, Croatia and Czechia! pic.twitter.com/8uBANTctxt

— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 18, 2026

Calvert-Lewin arrived at Leeds on a free transfer from Everton in August last year and has gone on to make 45 appearances across all competitions, scoring 19 goals. 

Indeed, since making his debut for Leeds, only Joao Pedro (18), Igor Thiago (23) and Haaland (31) have scored more Premier League goals than Calvert-Lewin’s 17. 

When asked where Calvert-Lewin ranked among his best-ever signings, Farke said: “At Leeds while I’ve been here, we’ve made many top signings on a low budget.

“When I think about Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka. It’s difficult to compare because, as a striker, you have a different role.

“But he’s definitely one of our better pieces of business. If you come as a free agent, it doesn’t mean it costs no money because there’s a salary.

“But we believed in him when perhaps not many were doing this. He also believes in himself and he believes in Leeds United, so I would say he was a perfect fit.”

Leeds have eight points from four Premier League games this season, their best start since 2001-02 under David O’Leary (also W2 D2).

Should Leeds beat Crystal Palace on Sunday, it would be their joint-best start to a Premier League season after five games, having won 11 in that 2001-02 campaign.

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