There is a clear difference in numbers between before and after Daniel Farke sanctioned the change
Dominic Calvert-Lewin says Leeds United ’s change to a back-three system in November was a ‘flick-switch’ in his personal season due to the extra support he was then receiving as striker.
Prior to the 3-2 defeat at Manchester City, Calvert-Lewin had scored just once in 10 league outings but his goal at the Etihad sparked a run of seven goals in eight games which saw him win Premier League player of the month for December.
The goals have not always flowed in the same fashion – with just two goals in nine league games between February and April – but he has played a vital role in helping Leeds sustain attacks and is ending the campaign in style.
Four goals in five Premier League games have further asked England boss Thomas Tuchel the question about World Cup selection, having given him his first cap for nearly five years in March.
Part of the reason Calvert-Lewin has pushed himself back into the Three Lions frame is due to Daniel Farke’s system switch. Asked about that much-talked-about trip to Man City on the club’s official podcast, the 29-year-old explained how it impacted his own game.
“It changed, and everyone felt it,” he said. “For me, I was getting bodies closer to me. I was feeling a little bit isolated. It took me a while to get going because of no pre-season and confidence, but from that moment on it was like a flick-switch and we were ready to go.”
Whether it was at half-time or another time has been lost in translation from various dressing room sources, but Calvert-Lewin did speak out to spur teammates on during the visit to the Etihad Stadium.
The striker is a senior figure in the dressing by virtue of age, experience and output – which was not the case at Everton, he explained. “I have a different responsibility within the group than what I’ve ever had before at Everton,” Calvert-Lewin added.
“[I had] senior players who took on the load of carrying everyone else. Whereas in coming here, I’ve had to be conscious of certain moments where we need someone to speak up and speak or be the one to lead by example. Or be a bit more vocal on certain things.
“So I’ve tried to be a bit more in tune of what the team needs this season and have tried to be the one throughout the season that can sprinkle a little bit of stuff when it is needed. That’s been the biggest learning curve and being more of a leader.”