Calvert-Lewin’s signing is a fascinating one for Leeds.
The injury-plagued Patrick Bamford failed to start a Championship match last season, making 17 appearances as a substitute, and, having said he can leave, Leeds have now recruited a player with a similar profile and questionable fitness record.
Calvert-Lewin missed three months of last season and has not scored more than seven Premier League goals in any of the past four campaigns.
Statistically, he can be considered the worst finisher of any forward in the top flight. Since the start of 2022-23, he’s scored just 12 times in total from an xG of 25.7 – the biggest underperformance of any player during this period (-13.7), while former Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez is second on this list at -8.5.
However, the fact Calvert-Lewin was offered a new deal by Everton before he left shows he retains value as an effective lone target man and capable of occupying defenders.
He could get the chance to do that on Monday against his former club, who are without England centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite through injury.
The Toffees have won just three of 13 Premier League fixtures (D3, L7) without Branthwaite starting, since his debut in the 2022-23 campaign.
