The 2025/26 season has been a turbulent one for Leeds United, but manager Daniel Farke is still aiming to steer the club towards remaining in the Premier League.
At one point it looked almost certain that the German would be sacked, especially considering the team won just one of eight league games between September and November.
However, his decision to switch from a 4-2-3-1 system to a 3-5-2 certainly boosted the Whites’ chances of spending another season at England’s top table.
Thanks to this, Falke’s side achieved an astonishing record of just one defeat in nine games, and built up a considerable gap over the teams below them, who were then in the relegation zone.
Despite the success, the team has failed to win in recent games and even went goalless in four consecutive games, with one player enduring a major goal drought.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s struggles in recent weeks
During the summer, Leeds completed the free transfer of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin after he was released by Everton. The deal raised many eyebrows across the sector.
His injury problems on Merseyside were no doubt a big factor in his subsequent release, but the 29-year-old has managed to prove many of his doubters wrong this season.
The Englishman has now scored 10 league goals in 2025/26, the most of any player in the squad, and has also been recalled to the national team set-up after six years away.
However, Calvert-Lewin has suffered a rare goal drought for Yorkshire, having scored just one goal in his last nine league games.
His last goal came against Nottingham Forest in early February, but his poor form has undoubtedly contributed to the team’s struggles in the final third.
There is no doubt that the forward is one of the players who has benefited from the change in formation, but Farke must desperately find a solution to his recent goalscoring woes.
How Falke could revive Calvert-Lewin at Leeds
Leeds’ struggles within the final three in recent weeks have arguably been exacerbated by the form of former winger Crisencio Somerville at fellow relegation rivals West Ham United.
The Dutchman left Elland Road in the summer of 2024 after the Whites missed out on promotion in the play-off final against Southampton at Wembley.
The 24-year-old has exploded following his struggles at the London Stadium and has often been relied on to score goals for the Hammers in recent months.
Somerville, coached by Nuno Espirito Santo, have scored seven goals in their last 10 games, securing five points for survival.
Given his recent form away from Yorkshire, Whites fans will no doubt hope he is still at the club, but Farke could unleash the next version of an attacker.
Winger Noah Okafor reportedly paid £18 million for Leeds over the summer and has been a great addition for Leeds this season.
The Swiss international recently missed a month of first-team action, but returned to the squad for 21 minutes off the bench against Brentford.
His return to fitness could be a big boost for Falke, but most importantly Calvert-Lewin, with the striker able to benefit from the 25-year-old’s talent in attack.
This summer’s big-money signing has many similarities to Somerville, with both players preferring to play from the left flank and cut in with their stronger right foot.
However, both can function centrally, with Okafor forming a partnership with Los Blancos’ top scorer and finally reviving his goalscoring ability.
Noah Okafor – PL statistics (2025/26) | |
|---|---|
Statistics (every 90) | tally |
games played | twenty four |
goals and assists | 4 |
Pass accuracy | 76% |
An opportunity has arisen | 1.1 |
A big opportunity has arisen | 0.2 |
dribbling success | 2.3 |
cross success | 20% |
aerial won | 41% |
In this campaign, the attacker created 1.1 chances per 90, of which 0.2 were defined as big chances. Those numbers would be music to Calvert-Lewin’s ears.
He also has a fast-paced rotation, which allowed him to make 2.3 successful dribbles per 90. This is the most of any player in the senior ranks this season.
But Okafor also has the end product to complement his incredible runs – as seen in his 20% cross success rate, he has the potential to consistently supply shots to a striker who is dominant in the air.
All of his aforementioned stats highlight him as an all-round threat within the final third, and Farke is desperate to unleash him alongside the Englishman.
If he can maintain his impressive form and add more goals to his game, there is no reason why Okafor cannot become the next Somerville and help the club survive until the end of May.
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