🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Advantage - But Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Secure the World Cup Only one goal in his opening ten English top division outings this campaign had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were behind him. However, a mere four weeks on, he stands as the most talked-about striker in England after netting seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His newest finish, in a stalemate against Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Stunning Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by setbacks in its final stages. But, the data underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are extremely notable. His six-match scoring sequence puts him in exclusive company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his best stands at two individual five-match runs. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Hot Streak? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A recent opponent's manager described it aptly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and timing inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a beloved player at his previous club. Experts highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, helping a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has expressed complete confidence at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. International Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has naturally fueled talks of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the country since the most recent European Championship. Pundits feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one remarked. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry However, competition for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive double against Chelsea, is right now seen as ahead in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the England manager decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
Only one goal in his opening ten English top division outings this campaign had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were behind him. However, a mere four weeks on, he stands as the most talked-about striker in England after netting seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His newest finish, in a stalemate against Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Stunning Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by setbacks in its final stages. But, the data underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are extremely notable. His six-match scoring sequence puts him in exclusive company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his best stands at two individual five-match runs. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Hot Streak? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A recent opponent's manager described it aptly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and timing inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a beloved player at his previous club. Experts highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, helping a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has expressed complete confidence at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. International Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has naturally fueled talks of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the country since the most recent European Championship. Pundits feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one remarked. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry However, competition for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive double against Chelsea, is right now seen as ahead in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the England manager decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."