Welcome to The Radar, Sky Sports' analytical column where Nick Wright blends statistics with insight to highlight the Premier League's most compelling narratives. This week’s focus includes: - Calvert-Lewin’s evolution into an all‑round attacking threat - Brian Brobbey’s mastery of hold‑up play - Elliot Anderson stepping into Rodri’s midfield role - A player to watch in the upcoming weekend fixtures Dominic Calvert‑Lewin’s goal tally has been officially adjusted after an appeal to the goal‑accreditation panel, raising his Premier League total to three for the current season.
That modest figure now places him just behind Manchester City’s Erling Haaland in the league’s scoring hierarchy and has earned him a deserved recall to the England national team. When you consider all competitions, Calvert‑Lewin has found the net nine times in 15 appearances since April. Leeds United manager Daniel Farke praised the striker after his standout performance in a 4‑1 victory over Newcastle United, noting, “He is in outstanding shape and playing with a lot of confidence.” Historically, Calvert‑Lewin has demonstrated an uncanny ability to position himself in dangerous areas.
Shot‑map data from his time at both Leeds and his final two seasons at Everton reveal a dense cluster of attempts from the heart of the penalty box. The key difference now is his conversion rate – he is turning a higher proportion of those chances into goals. At Everton, Calvert‑Lewin was often labelled as wasteful, a reputation built on a high number of shots that failed to find the back of the net. Remarkably, he has already matched the total Premier League goals he scored in his last four seasons at Everton in just a handful of games for Leeds.
As former England defender and Sky Sports analyst Jamie Carragher observed, “Sometimes a change of scenery can rejuvenate a player.” The underlying metrics confirm that the gap between his expected goals (xG) and actual goals has narrowed dramatically, indicating he is finally shedding the finishing funk that haunted him for years. Carragher added, “Perhaps composure was an issue in the past, but not in these recent outings.” Calvert‑Lewin’s brace against Newcastle illustrated the breadth of his attacking arsenal.
The first goal came from a textbook leap and powerful header to meet James Justin’s cross, while the second showcased his pace – a blistering run behind the defence to meet Tarik Muharemović’s first‑time pass and finish past the goalkeeper. Farke described him after the match as “one of the standout strikers in the league.” With his renewed sharpness, it is hard to argue otherwise. At 29, Calvert‑Lewin now blends raw speed with aerial dominance, making him a dual‑threat that can out‑muscle centre‑backs on long balls and also exploit space behind a compact back line.
Statistically, his all‑roundness is evident. He shares the league lead for aerial duels won with Sunderland defender Dan Ballard, yet he is also among the top ten players for runs behind the defence – a rare combination for a traditional No 9. Tracking data shows he has recorded some of the highest sprint speeds recorded in the Premier League this season, underlining his off‑the‑ball intensity. Farke emphasized that Calvert‑Lewin’s contribution extends beyond goal scoring: “It’s not just about the goals.
His work‑rate is exceptional.” The striker frequently leads the press, forces opposition centre‑backs into errors, blocks passing lanes, and helps Leeds win high‑press turnovers. Leeds rank among the teams that generate the most forced errors, with only six opponents causing more turnovers since the start of last term. Injury concerns have long haunted Calvert‑Lewin, making his free‑transfer signing a calculated risk for Leeds. So far, he has avoided the recurring muscle problems that plagued his Everton days.
The club has managed his minutes prudently, substituting him in 15 of his 34 Premier League starts, yet he still logged nearly 80 % of the total league minutes last season – his highest involvement since 2020/21 – and already boasts a 92 % minute‑share this campaign. Consistent selection has benefitted both player and club, and Leeds will hope the pattern continues when they host Crystal Palace at Elland Road on Sunday, a match broadcast live on Sky Sports. Calvert‑Lewin will be eager to extend his streak of scoring in six consecutive home league games, a run that underscores his revived confidence.
Turning to another striker, Brian Brobbey has emerged as a formidable hold‑up specialist for Sunderland. The Dutch‑born forward, who scored three goals at the World Cup for the Netherlands, has yet to open his Premier League account this term but impressed against Arsenal with a masterclass in shielding the ball and retaining possession under pressure.
His physicality allowed him to repeatedly neutralise Arsenal centre‑back Ezri Konsa, creating a vital outlet for Sunderland’s attacks. Data from GeniusIQ confirms Brobbey’s dominance in the hold‑up category – he has recorded more instances of using his body to protect the ball than any other player this season, repeating a feat from the previous campaign despite featuring in only 22 starts.
Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris praised the young striker, noting that his performance against a top‑flight side demonstrated his competitiveness against elite opposition. Sunderland will look to replicate that intensity at the Etihad Stadium when they face Manchester City.
In midfield, Elliot Anderson is tasked with disrupting Brobbey’s supply line on Sunday. The £116 million acquisition from Nottingham Forest appears to be fulfilling the lofty expectations set for him as a replacement for Rodri at Manchester City.
In the recent Manchester derby, Anderson’s passing volume and final‑third involvement mirrored Rodri’s last‑season statistics, while his duel‑winning rate was almost identical. These parallels suggest a smooth transition under the guidance of Enzo Maresca. Meanwhile, Fulham hopes to cause trouble for Manchester United on Sunday. Although they have yet to secure a league win under manager Álvaro Arbeloa, striker Josh King has been in fine form, offering a potential threat to United’s defence.
Sky Sports will broadcast five Premier League fixtures this weekend. The action kicks off on Friday night with Brentford versus Chelsea, followed by Nottingham Forest versus Coventry on Saturday.
Sunday’s slate includes Bournemouth versus Liverpool, Leeds versus Crystal Palace, Manchester City versus Sunderland at 2 pm, and finally Fulham versus Manchester United at 4.30 pm. Last week’s column also highlighted the chemistry between Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer, as well as contributions from Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Crystal Palace’s Anan Khalaili, who scored against Ipswich. For those seeking extra excitement, the Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £1 million – entry is free.