--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-06-09T17:19:55.411Z data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/leeds-united/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubGVlZHMtbGl2ZS5jby51ay9zcG9ydC9sZWVkcy11bml0ZWQvZm9sbG93ZWQtbGVlZHMtdW5pdGVkLWhvbWUtYXdheS0zMzk3NTc0Ng --- # I have followed Leeds United home and away - this is my player of the season - **Source:** - **Club:** Leeds United - **Original URL:** https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/followed-leeds-united-home-away-33975746 The amount of disappointments can be counted on one hand and maybe two fingers, with the vast majority of the squad able to hold their heads high. Of course, some stand out more than others. Even having watched Leeds play up and down the land this season, it is tough to nail down one player for the title of ‘best’. It is a close call, for me, between three players. Gabriel Gudmundsson has been a revelation at left-back, an unexpected gem that has been so consistent and bounced back from setbacks like they never happened. After his own goal at Fulham, for instance, he put in a man of the match display against Wolves. He has also endeared supporters. After his controversial red card against Crystal Palace, he went to the away end to shake the hands of travelling fans in apology after the final whistle. Those at the club meanwhile speak highly of his application and dedication behind the scenes. In terms of his play, Gudmundsson provides something no other Leeds player does with his left foot and has shown brilliant football intelligence of when to attack and when to stay back, when to tackle and when to jockey. Meanwhile, more centrally, Ethan Ampadu has, once again, been seismic in United’s season. A quarter-back in many aspects - including his long throws - the captain sprays the play, dictates the tempo and commands the whole team from its heart. He is a leader in every sense. From urging players on to taking issue with referee decisions to taking matters into his own hands during Chelsea’s Wembley goalkeeper tactical timeouts - he is an on-pitch representative of the fans. However, there is a teammate that, for me, pips both him and Gudmundsson to the player of the season title. And not just because of his goals. Leeds have survived without Gudmundsson, have managed to squeeze results - if not thrive - without Ampadu but would struggle greatly without the presence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Fourteen Premier League goals speak for themselves. They have been vital for Leeds’ survival quest but Calvert-Lewin would not be getting my vote if it was down to goals alone. His initial return of one goal in 10 Premier League games, though understandable given a lack of pre-season, and then one goal in nine outings between January and April were disappointing spells. But as Daniel Farke has said multiple times, his goals tally is in many senses secondary to the main thing he provides Leeds with - an attacking outlet. His hold-up play and distribution, as well as his aerial prowess and natural strength, has been vital to helping United sustain pressure and opportunity in the final third. Calvert-Lewin has also done his bit in the other box too, having cleared danger mutliple times, most notably his headed goal-line clearance against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the dying embers. The 29-year-old has also offered Premier League experience, guidance and a steel-like mentality into the group off the pitch. He was one of those at THAT Manchester City game to say his piece and rally the troops in the dressing room. Not just that but he has taken care of himself fitness-wose too, of course with a huge helping hand from the club’s medical staff. Calvert-Lewin has been blighted by injury in previous years but has not missed a Premier League game due to a setback all season. The greatest commodity in football is availability and he has offered that, despite history being against him. Credit has to go to the striker as much as the nutritionists, physiotherapists and Farke’s careful game management. It all culminated him scoring in a 95th-minute winner against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday and him being firmly in the frame for a potential World Cup spot with England too. The personal resurrection should not be brushed over. Without Calvert-Lewin being available and leading the line, as his goal, Leeds would be far worse off and potentially facing relegation. Lukas Nmecha has made a respectable return of seven goals with clinical finishing, but his overall game is undoubtedly inferior to his striker colleague. Leeds failed to win any of the six Premier League games Calvert-Lewin has not started since his debut with just four goals scored in those matches - and one of them was his own after coming on against Man City. That goes some way to showing how vital he has been. This and all the reasons above are why Calvert-Lewin is - just about - my player of the season.