Over recent years, Leeds United have often found themselves being home to numerous top-level attacking talents who have captured the hearts of the fanbase. Joel Piroe and Patrick Bamford are two who played an influential role in their second-tier success and catapulted the Whites back to the Premier League on separate occasions. The latter of the aforementioned duo arguably enjoyed his best spell in England’s top-flight, as he netted 17 league goals back in 2020/21 – helping secure a top-half finish under Marcelo Bielsa.
However, one other player will think he deserves to be in such a conversation after his efforts at Elland Road during the club’s most recent campaign.
How Dominic Calvert-Lewin fired Leeds to survival in 2025/26
Last summer, many Leeds fans undoubtedly had concerns over the number nine position, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin joined the club on a free transfer following his release from Everton. His constant injury issues resulted in his departure from the Toffees, with Daniel Farke’s side taking somewhat of a risk in signing him and handing the forward big wages at Elland Road.
However, their risk certainly paid off, as the 29-year-old netted 14 goals in England’s top-flight and ended the campaign as the Whites’ highest goalscorer. No other player managed to reach double figures in goals in the league alone last term, but where would Farke’s side have finished without the Englishman?
Leeds’ top Premier League scorers (2025/26)
Player
Tally
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
14
Noah Okafor
8
Lukas Nmecha
6
Anton Stach
5
Brenden Aaronson
4
Ao Tanaka
2
James Justin
2
Joe Rodon
2
His goals earned Leeds nine points throughout the 2025/26 campaign, with his efforts allowing the club to avoid being sucked into a late relegation battle in the Premier League. Without his strikes last term, Farke’s men would have finished on 38 points – a tally which would have seen the club suffer an immediate return to the second tier.
A run of seven goals in six games in December was no doubt the best patch of his debut campaign in Yorkshire and there will be hope the talisman can reach the next level in 2026/27.
How Leeds can land a better talent than Calvert-Lewin this summer
Despite his efforts at Elland Road last term, there’s a huge chance Calvert-Lewin may not be Leeds’ number one centre-forward option ahead of the new campaign.
As part of the hierarchy’s summer recruitment drive, they have placed an emphasis on landing top talents who can have an immediate impact and improve the options at Farke’s disposal. Tarik Muharemovic and Harry Wilson have already completed their respective moves to join the Whites, but FC Midtjylland striker Franculino Dru could be the next to arrive in Yorkshire. It’s been reported by TEAMtalk in recent days that the Whites have started work on a deal to land the Guinea-Bissau international, who’s scored 55 times in the last three seasons.
They claim that Newcastle United and Everton are just two other clubs linked with a move for the 22-year-old star who’s currently valued at the £30m mark by the Danish outfit. Franculino may be a name that’s unknown to many Leeds supporters, but he’s a player who can undoubtedly be the club’s leading talisman for many years to come upon any move. He managed to outscore Calvert-Lewin despite featuring in five fewer games across all competitions – subsequently highlighting his clinical edge over Farke’s number nine.
His underlying stats from his most recent campaign demonstrate his top-level quality in attacking areas – even managing to better the Englishman in a variety of key departments. The Midtjylland striker’s tally of 1.4 shots on target per 90 last term was higher than that of Calvert-Lewin, whilst also ranking him higher than 80% of strikers across the continent.
The youngster also posted a higher shot on target accuracy rate than the England international – reaffirming his phenomenal ability within the final third of the pitch.
Franculino’s skillset stretches to more than just his goalscoring ability, with the Guinea-Bissau star also managing to post a higher tally of dribbles completed and chances created per 90 – leading to talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbing him an “insane” talent. He ranked in the top 10% of all strikers in Europe for the aforementioned figures, which could hand Farke the all-round talisman he’s hunting for in the summer window. Supporters may question the quality of the opposition he’s faced in recent times – but all of the stats listed are from his recent campaign in the Europa League as he came up against some of the best teams on the continent.
There’s no denying the 22-year-old is a player who possesses serious talent and potential, which could see his current £30m price tag become a bargain down the line. Replacing Calvert-Lewin may seem to be somewhat of a harsh call given his success last term, but it’s a decision that must be made if the Whites are to build on their survival from last term.
Related
Why Leeds must sign £25m playmaker to replace Brenden Aaronson
Leeds United’s interest in this star could come as bad news for current first-team player Brenden Aaronson.