🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Advantage - But Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Secure the World Cup A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League games this campaign had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over. Yet, a just four weeks afterwards, he stands as the most discussed striker in England following netting seven goals in six back-to-back games. His most recent finish, in a tie versus Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, establishing him as the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its closing stages. But, the numbers underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely remarkable. His six-match scoring run sees him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his longest is two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in recent weeks? A latest opponent's manager summed it up perfectly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager stated. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That natural ability and positional sense inside the penalty area was what established him as a beloved player at his previous club. Pundits note the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, enabling more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A challenge of character and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has voiced no surprise at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably sparked conversations of an England recall. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the most recent European Championship. Pundits think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this form. "He looks as fit as he has in a long time," one commented. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition But, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive brace against Chelsea, is presently seen as leading in the pecking order, according to some opinion. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was said. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League games this campaign had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over. Yet, a just four weeks afterwards, he stands as the most discussed striker in England following netting seven goals in six back-to-back games. His most recent finish, in a tie versus Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, establishing him as the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its closing stages. But, the numbers underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely remarkable. His six-match scoring run sees him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his longest is two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in recent weeks? A latest opponent's manager summed it up perfectly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager stated. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That natural ability and positional sense inside the penalty area was what established him as a beloved player at his previous club. Pundits note the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, enabling more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A challenge of character and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has voiced no surprise at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably sparked conversations of an England recall. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the most recent European Championship. Pundits think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this form. "He looks as fit as he has in a long time," one commented. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition But, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive brace against Chelsea, is presently seen as leading in the pecking order, according to some opinion. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was said. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."