Calvert -Lewin Leeds come back has turned out to be one of the little, yet effective, winter stories of the Premier League that have not been made by the hype, but rather, by stamina, fitness and tine goals. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is not giving an excuse when he talks of how difficult it is to shake a narrative once established. He was explaining a journey. Back at Brentford on Sunday, having scampered to the top to par with Leeds United and earned a priceless point in the process, the striker was now putting the words to mouth via his actions and not his voice.

First, context matters. Calvert-Lewin had only made one goal in seven matches in Leeds before the international break in November, having joined the club on a free transfer in August. To a fanbase that was fearful to live through, the trauma of his injury-marred farewell at Everton was large. The three targets, the repeated failures had made him look a danger instead of a problem in almost 600 days out of 2018 due to injury alone. Skepticism was high and forbearance low.

Nevertheless, Calvert-Lewin Leeds revival has now really taken off since the Premier League restarted in mid-November. Four goals in five matches with four goals in four consecutive matches have overturned the story. It was not an ordinary goal he scored at Brentford, nor was it the goal in which he did not earn the chance; it was the goal of a centre-forward, goal time, goal control, goal execution and goal under pressure. It moved Leeds three clear of the relegation trap and highlighted his increasing power at a side undergoing a struggle to survive.

After the game, Calvert-Lewin emphasized that it is all about mental strength to him. He discussed the power to control the controllables and seal external noise and maintaining his circle small. Confidence is oxygen to a striker and his performances are currently availing it to him. This is the life of a number nine he said, live through the dry periods, continue working and hope that the tide will turn.

It is equally important on the physical aspect of the story. Availability has made Calvert-Lewin Leeds revival possible. He has played in 14 of the 16 league games during this season in Leeds that would have felt out of place last year. He has reported himself to be the fittest that he has ever been in long time citing inexhaustible work behind the scenes. To Daniel Farke, it is this fitness that has enabled him to be a striker who is able to lead the line, connect play, and set the tempo of those around him.His overall form has been enhanced by his resurgence.

The four matches of losing have occurred after the haulage of five points in the last three games got them out of the relegated zone. The ex-teammate Conor Coady put it in a simple way when he stated that there is much more to Calvert-Lewin than aerial presence. His skills to take the ball to feet and instigate other plays and also to clear off the ball has been paramount in tense situations.

At last, the topic of conversation gets to England. Farke has even written that he was one of the best English strikers in the current premier league, and this is a very bold statement but this is based on the conviction and not on how one feels. Informative home grown forwards may have a chance with Harry Kane continuing to ply his trade in Germany. Even Calvert-Lewin is restrained. It is a dream of the world cup and yet his concern is just to score goals to Leeds and play his football.

The Calvert-Lewin Leeds revival is not of cerebrations of redemption and portentous utterances. It is of a striker that is winning the trust, game by game, goal by goal. As long as he is in shape and continues producing, the survival chances of Leeds are increasing, and the entire football community is soon likely to need to reconsider the label with which it previously pegged him.

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