🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Edge - However Calvert-Lewin Might Yet Secure the World Cup A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League outings this season had numerous wondering whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were behind him. Yet, a only four weeks afterwards, he is the most discussed forward in England after scoring 7 goals in six straight games. His most recent goal, in a tie versus Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its final stages. However, the data supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely notable. His six-game scoring run places him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his top is two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager described it succinctly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That nose for goal and timing inside the 18-yard box was what made him a popular figure at his former team. Analysts point to the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker a little more space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A challenge of resolve and I've persisted and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has expressed no surprise at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably fueled talks of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, netting four goals, but has not represented the national team since the most recent European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one commented. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition However, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive double versus Chelsea, is right now seen as in front in the pecking order, according to some assessment. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was said. "He also holds the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major tournament." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many natural strikers the England manager decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an expert summarized. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League outings this season had numerous wondering whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were behind him. Yet, a only four weeks afterwards, he is the most discussed forward in England after scoring 7 goals in six straight games. His most recent goal, in a tie versus Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its final stages. However, the data supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely notable. His six-game scoring run places him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his top is two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager described it succinctly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That nose for goal and timing inside the 18-yard box was what made him a popular figure at his former team. Analysts point to the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker a little more space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A challenge of resolve and I've persisted and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has expressed no surprise at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably fueled talks of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, netting four goals, but has not represented the national team since the most recent European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one commented. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition However, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive double versus Chelsea, is right now seen as in front in the pecking order, according to some assessment. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was said. "He also holds the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major tournament." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many natural strikers the England manager decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an expert summarized. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."