🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin Might Still Make the World Cup Only one goal in his first ten English top division games this season had numerous doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were behind him. Yet, a mere four weeks later, he is the most discussed striker in England after bagging seven goals in six back-to-back games. His most recent strike, in a tie versus Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, establishing him as the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by injuries in its closing stages. But, the numbers behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely impressive. 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 matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run lasting this many games - his longest is two individual five-match runs. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager described it perfectly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager stated. "He's clever and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That instinct and timing inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a beloved player at his former team. Analysts note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, allowing more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, which has given the striker a little more space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch 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 persevered and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now." His manager has shown complete confidence at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. International Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably ignited conversations of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the last European Championship. Analysts believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this form. "He looks as fit as he has in a while," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition But, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is right now regarded as in front in the selection race, 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 stated. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
Only one goal in his first ten English top division games this season had numerous doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were behind him. Yet, a mere four weeks later, he is the most discussed striker in England after bagging seven goals in six back-to-back games. His most recent strike, in a tie versus Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, establishing him as the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by injuries in its closing stages. But, the numbers behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely impressive. 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 matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run lasting this many games - his longest is two individual five-match runs. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager described it perfectly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager stated. "He's clever and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That instinct and timing inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a beloved player at his former team. Analysts note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, allowing more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, which has given the striker a little more space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch 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 persevered and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now." His manager has shown complete confidence at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. International Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably ignited conversations of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the last European Championship. Analysts believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this form. "He looks as fit as he has in a while," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition But, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is right now regarded as in front in the selection race, 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 stated. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."