There's no better example of Daniel Farke's genius than the resurgence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin in a Leeds United shirt.

Once prolific at Everton, the Englishman couldn't stay fit for love nor money with the Toffees, having started just half of the club's Premier League games in 2024/25.

Across his final four seasons on Merseyside, the struggling striker also scored just 17 league goals combined, almost as many as he'd scored in 2020/21 alone (16).

Thankfully, he's been a man reborn at Elland, already up to 17 top-flight goals in the space of just over 12 months. What a signing he's been.

How Leeds won the race for Calvert-Lewin

On the evidence of the early weeks of 2026/27, last season's 14-goal haul is set to be no flash in the pan, with the 29-year-old already netting three in just five outings thus far.

At a time of lavish spending across the Premier League, the ability to land the experienced striker for nothing still sticks out as remarkable business, Calvert-Lewin already in the conversation to be the division's best-ever free transfer signing.

As revealed by The Athletic's Beren Cross earlier this year, it was a deal that initially looked unlikely, with Leeds of the opinion that he would be heading to a club higher up the food chain, amid their status as a newly-promoted side.

Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz had become the top target for Farke and co as a result, although the Whites pivoted back to Calvert-Lewin in August, having been informed that he could be on the agenda.

Talk of an England recall was floated in the pitch to the free agent, as was the idea of being the club's new number nine, with the one-time Sheffield United man clearly won over despite rival interest.

As Calvert-Lewin himself revealed, he even rejected a Champions League club on the day of signing officially for the Yorkshire side, with this certainly a decision that has paid off handsomely both for himself and for Leeds themselves.

Farke has taken this fallen star and moulded him into a central part of his team. It's a situation he may well have repeated this summer too.

Leeds have repeated Calvert-Lewin success this summer

Leeds have, of course, made another statement free transfer signing in the form of Harry Wilson, although the Welshman is yet to get going in his new surroundings, having also been struck down by injury this month.

Wilson wasn't exactly a man on the decline either, like Calvert-Lewin, signing off the back of arguably his best-ever season at Fulham, registering 17 goals and assists in the top-flight.

He was a man on the up and a no-brainer of a signing, a fact that wasn't true of everyone whom Leeds snapped up this summer, including in the case of James Trafford.

Like Calvert-Lewin, there was an element of risk in bringing the young goalkeeper to Elland Road amid his recent woes elsewhere in the Premier League, having been reduced to a peripheral role at Manchester City.

Previously relegated at Burnley, Trafford's best work had come in the Championship in 2024/25, conceding just 16 goals in 45 appearances, while keeping 29 clean sheets to boot.

Tipped to be England's future number one, he appeared to be heading to Newcastle last summer, prior to linking back up with Man City, having risen up through the youth ranks at the Etihad.

That switch almost immediately backfired following the subsequent signing of Gigi Donnarumma, with Trafford ultimately making just four league appearances all season.

Like with the case of Calvert-Lewin, or perhaps even more so considering the £40m fee, eyebrows were then raised when Leeds did pursue a deal for the 23-year-old, considering those woes in Manchester.

Well, again like with Calvert-Lewin, that decision has been well and truly vindicated so far, Trafford already looking like a significant upgrade on the likes of Lucas Perri and Illan Meslier.

It's early days, but almost from the off he has impressed in the sticks, teammate Brenden Aaronson admitting in pre-season that he'd been "blown away" by Trafford's performances in training.

A star against Manchester United at Croke Park, he's carried that momentum in 2026/27, conceding just three goals in his five Premier League outings so far.

As per Squawka, he's made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the division (20), and also leads the way in terms of his save percentage (87%).

Intriguingly, as relayed by Johnny Cooper, that is the second best record of any goalkeeper across Europe's big-five leagues this season, only behind a certain former Leeds man, Elia Caprile (91%), now of Cagliari.

From looking down and out at City, Trafford is now arguably among the best in his position in the Premier League, following Calvert-Lewin in enjoying such a remarkable, rapid rise.

Farke is seemingly something of a master when it comes to reviving players who are down on their luck. Long may it continue.