Jermaine Beckford: Daniel Farke Should Play Calvert-Lewin And Nmecha Up Front
Former Leeds attacker Jermaine Beckford has urged United manager Daniel Farke to start playing with two strikers in order to help boost the club's Premier League survival bid.
Farke started the season deploying a 4-3-3, but has utilised a back three ever since changing the formation at half-time in a 3-2 defeat at Manchester City towards the end of November.
Leeds were trailing 2-0 at the break, but the introduction of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is back in the England squad, sparked a thrilling comeback that saw the visitors pull level only to be denied a point by Phil Foden's injury-time winner.
Although Leeds, who are 6/1 with betting sites to make an immediate return to the Championship, have enjoyed some excellent results in the Premier League with Calvert-Lewin ploughing a lone furrow, Beckford believes the former Everton forward should be paired with Lukas Nmecha.
Beckford, speaking exclusively to Gambling.com, said: "Leeds United can really cause more problems for teams by playing with a front two.
"Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha have good qualities as a pair to hurt defenders, and with the way Leeds United are playing in their build-up play and energy around the pitch, they will create plenty of chances, without it being a detriment to the team.
"The centre of midfield is filled with very combative players, meaning that going back to a traditional and seemingly old school two strikers up front would not hinder them, and this can be a positive step for Leeds to be on the front foot and put pressure on teams.
🦁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱!#LUFC x @England pic.twitter.com/BI71ObWb94
— Leeds United (@LUFC) March 20, 2026
"Having one up front has been a struggle at times for Leeds United, with not many chances created in some games.
"Playing with a front two can mean other teams won’t be able to play out so much from the back or push up a high line.
"I strongly feel in the last run into the season, Leeds United can survive and push up the table by being more offensive in their play, and both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha have serious qualities to put the ball in the back of the net."
James Justin missed out on Thomas Tuchel's 35-man England squad ahead of this summer's World Cup, but Beckford thinks the full-back could still have a chance of being on the plane to North America if injuries start to bite.
Justin has been one of Leeds' most consistent performers since joining from Leicester in the summer.
Beckford said: "I think Leeds United full-back James Justin is having a fantastic season at the club and is one of the many reasons the team are performing well and proving doubters wrong.
"He has settled into the full-back role really well and come up against some really good wingers and not had a bad game.
"Looking at England and James for me is good. There aren’t that many in-form full-backs right now, so I hope Tuchel has been watching James Justin."
Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold and Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly were both left out of the squad for what Tuchel described as the "last opportunity for players to compete for their ticket" to the World Cup.
Beckford added: "Trent is in Spain for Real Madrid, Lewis-Skelly hasn’t been playing much for Arsenal. Djed Spence has been playing in a Spurs team struggling at the wrong end of the table.
"Spence especially has so much talent and played well for England in the qualifiers, but I am not convinced of his attitude, so I hope James Justin can push to make the England World Cup squad."
Calling all Leeds fans! Should Farke play Calvert-Lewin in a front two or stick with the current formation? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!
