Dominic Calvert-Lewin was named in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad on Friday morning following his impressive maiden campaign at Elland Road.
The forward has scored 10 goals in 28 Premier League appearances so far this season and is the first Leeds player to be selected to represent the Three Lions since Kalvin Phillips.
Calvert-Lewin reacted to his recent call up to the national team by chatting exclusively to leedsunited.com, with a gleaming smile on his face.
He said: “It is hard to put into words, I’m probably not really taking it in yet that I am going to be joining up with the squad and have an England call up.
“It has been a long road to get that recognition of having the opportunity to represent England again, so I am absolutely delighted!”
Tuchel named a 35-player squad on Friday morning, with Calvert-Lewin’s inclusion marking his first call-up since being named in Sir Gareth Southgate’s UEFA Euro 2020 squad where England fell short in the final against Italy on penalties.
“The manager called me the night before the announcement,” our number 9 continued, telling us more about how he received the news.
“I had a short video call with him just and he just told me that I was going to be getting called up.
“Obviously I was very happy. He was explaining how it's going to work in the week and it is an opportunity for me to impress and get in front of him, which is all I can ask for.”
The striker was Daniel Farke’s eighth signing of the summer after departing fellow Premier League side Everton following the expiration of his contract, and has since scored 10 goals in 28 appearances for the Whites.
In December, Calvert-Lewin was named Premier League Player of the Month after netting six times in five matches. Since starting life at Leeds, the England international has felt the love from his teammates, the staff, and most importantly the Elland Road faithful.
“It has been really nice. I cannot say I have ever felt love like it,” DCL answered, on his time in West Yorkshire.
“It has been really special and I have appreciated it a lot from the players and staff and the people at the club. I have definitely felt everyone's genuine happiness for me and it has been a really nice experience.
“We have still got a lot to achieve ourselves at club level so I am still very much focused on my job here, and I am really proud that my time here has helped me to represent England again. I’ll know more of how I feel if I get the chance to put the shirt on.”
Away from the field, as a father to his daughter, he recognises the importance of having a strong family network who have been vital in his recent return to his best form.
“It is always nice when a plan comes together, we spoke a lot together about what the next steps where, and I can’t wait to get out there and feel how special it's going to be.
“It has been a long road. I was a million miles away from where I am now, not so long ago. So I thank my wife and my daughter who are my foundation around me, as I would not be in this position without them!”
Dominic will be looking to add to his 11 England caps as England will first face Uruguay on Friday night, followed by a clash with Japan on Tuesday evening where he could face Leeds teammate Ao Tanaka.
Fixture: England vs Uruguay
Date: Friday 27th March
Time: 7.45pm (GMT)
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Fixture: England vs Japan
Date: Tuesday 31st March
Time: 7.45pm (GMT)
Venue: Wembley Stadium
