Leeds United defied all expectations that were placed upon them last summer, with Daniel Farke comfortably guiding the Whites to Premier League survival.

A memorable trip to Wembley to take on rivals Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final, in addition to Leeds’ 14th place Premier League finish, meant it turned out to be an incredible campaign that will live long in the memory of supporters.

Last June, most supporters could not have imagined such a season would be possible, and now it is on the 49ers to build upon that success again this summer.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin snubbed for Premier League Signing of the Season award

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a vital reason as to why United were successful last season. But, the Englishman was recently snubbed by the Premier League for an end-of-season award.

Many Leeds fans, myself included, were very sceptical when Calvert-Lewin arrived in West Yorkshire on a free transfer. The striker scored just 17 Premier League goals in his last four seasons combined before joining Leeds.

However, 14 Premier League goals and numerous impressive performances later, the striker has endeared himself to the Elland Road faithful. And ultimately, he’s helped United retain top-flight status.

But despite the incredible piece of business that it turned out to be, it was not enough to win the striker the Premier League Signing of the Season award. Controversially, that accolade has been gifted to Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens:

Joao Pedro, Granit Xhaka, Rayan Cherki, Adrien Truffert, Viktor Gyokeres and Antoine Semenyo. Those are the other nominees who were also snubbed in favour of the Manchester United shot stopper.

The likes of Calvert-Lewin and Xhaka especially can count themselves extremely unfortunate to not win the award. Either of those players are far more deserving winners than Lammens.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin still has a point to prove next season

Whilst Calvert-Lewin enjoyed an incredible debut season in West Yorkshire, the 29-year-old will have to do something he has only done once in his career: score at least 10 Premier League goals in consecutive seasons.

At Everton, the forward netted ten or more league goals twice during his nine seasons at the club. He scored 13 goals in the 2019/20 season before following that up with a career-best 16 league goals in the 2020/21 campaign.

Whilst injuries played a part in preventing Calvert-Lewin from reaching double-digit Premier League goals before his move to Leeds, the forward will be keen to follow up this season with another impressive goal-scoring campaign at Elland Road. He would show that his career has indeed been reignited and it is not a brief flash in the pan.

Leeds will need their talisman to hit double figures again next season if they want to avoid the drop. And if Calvert-Lewin can oblige, then he certainly goes down as one of the 49ers’ most impressive signings for us. That is even if the forward was snubbed by the Premier League for their Signing of the Season award.

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