Dominic Calvert-Lewin wasn't widely loved when he first came through the doors at Elland Road this summer, with many Leeds fans feeling that the striker was either too injury-prone to rely on or not clinical enough in front of goal.
Both of these concerns were legitimate at the time, and after initially getting off to a slow start, it looked as if Leeds fans were right to be sceptical about the signing, particularly when there were younger models available.
However, as the season has progressed, the former Everton man has grown in a Leeds shirt, and there is every chance that his performances for the Whites could earn him a place in Thomas Tuchel'sEngland World Cup squad.
Leeds fans sing new Calvert-Lewin chant
Earlier in the campaign, Calvert-Lewin hit a particular purple patch when he scored six goals in five Premier League appearances. It was at this point that the Leeds faithful started chanting ‘England's number nine' at the 28-year-old.
While he isn't going to be that unless Harry Kane gets injured, there is an argument that he is now worthy of a place in the squad. Tuchel isn't blessed with strikers, and there are legitimate concerns about who would play up top should the unthinkable happen and Kane picks up an injury just before the tournament.
Six goals in five games from Dominic Calvert-Lewin 🔥
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) December 20, 2025
If he keeps up his form, does DCL deserve a spot in England's World Cup squad next summer? 🏴 pic.twitter.com/Zla9iohaMo
Leeds fans continue to boost the club's survival chances
Leeds' performances at home this season are reason to believe that they can survive relegation this season, after an initial period where it looked as if they would be heading straight back to the Championship.
The South Stand at Elland Road, where the Calvert-Lewin chant is often heard the loudest, has received widespread praise from other supporters all season, and many now feel that it is the loudest single stand in the division.
FGG says: Calvert-Lewin, England's number 19?
The chances of Calvert-Lewin donning the number 9 shirt for England at the World Cup are next to zero, but you would be hard-pressed to make an argument for anyone else to be Kane's chief understudy. Danny Welbeck is having a good season, but Tuchel doesn't appear to fancy him, while Ivan Toney perhaps needs a move back to Europe.