Breaking; Daniel Farke warned that Leeds United’s survival hopes rest on the shoulders of one player

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been warned that his team’s hopes of staying in the Premier League may ultimately depend on the impact of one key player.

With only three points separating Leeds from the relegation places, Farke is well aware that there is little room for mistakes, even after an encouraging improvement in recent performances.

Injuries have complicated matters in recent weeks, preventing Leeds from fielding their strongest XI. Lukas Nmecha was absent against Brentford, while Sean Longstaff and Dan James are facing spells on the sidelines that could stretch from medium to long term.

Despite those setbacks, Farke has been told that none of the injured players will influence Leeds’ survival chances as much as striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose goals could prove decisive in the battle to stay up.

Calvert-Lewin central to Leeds’ survival push

Speaking on the Two Robbies podcast, former Middlesbrough midfielder Robbie Mustoe suggested Leeds’ Premier League fate remains finely balanced and heavily tied to Calvert-Lewin’s fitness and form.

Mustoe admitted he has generally been impressed by Leeds but revealed he had tipped them for relegation due to concerns over whether Calvert-Lewin can remain fit across a full campaign.

“I’ve liked Leeds,” Mustoe said. “We all know how hard it is to win games in the Premier League, but I’ve liked what I’ve seen overall.

“Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the key. He has to deliver for them. If he can stay fit and reach a decent goal return, Leeds can stay in the league.

“Based on his history, that’s why I predicted them to go down — I worry whether he can keep himself fit or hit that level of 12 to 15 goals.”

Mustoe also praised Farke’s tactical approach, noting that the current system appears well suited to the squad.

“I quite like the way they’re set up now,” he added. “The wing-backs give them width because they don’t really have outstanding wingers. There’s quality in midfield — Anton Stach, for example — and playing two up front works. I like them, but it’s going to be tough. They’ll be right in the fight.”

The numbers underline Calvert-Lewin’s importance

Leeds have picked up 16 points from their first 16 league matches, staying close to Farke’s benchmark of one point per game as a route to safety.

Calvert-Lewin has scored in five of those fixtures, and the statistics highlight just how influential his goals have been.

Leeds have lost only once when he has found the net, collecting eight points from those five games — an average of 1.6 points per match.

In contrast, the Whites have taken just eight points from the remaining 11 games, winning twice and averaging only 0.72 points per game. The figures underline the crucial role Calvert-Lewin is playing in Leeds’ bid to avoid relegation.