🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Edge - But Calvert-Lewin Might Yet Make the World Cup Only one goal in his first ten top-flight games this campaign had many questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were behind him. But, a just four weeks afterwards, he is the most discussed forward in England following scoring 7 goals in six straight games. His latest finish, in a stalemate against Sunderland, took his tally to eight, seeing him become the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Stunning Return to Form The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its final stages. But, the statistics supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are genuinely notable. His six-game scoring sequence places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League fixtures. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his top stands at two individual five-match runs. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Scoring Form? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A recent opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That instinct and positional sense inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a fan favourite at his previous club. Pundits point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker additional space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little flick beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of character and I've persisted and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now." His manager has voiced little astonishment at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has naturally fueled discussions of an England return. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the last European Championship. Analysts believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this standard. "He looks as in shape as he has in a considerable period," one commented. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Stiff Rivalry But, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive brace against Chelsea, is presently regarded as ahead in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also has the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might hinge on whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
Only one goal in his first ten top-flight games this campaign had many questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were behind him. But, a just four weeks afterwards, he is the most discussed forward in England following scoring 7 goals in six straight games. His latest finish, in a stalemate against Sunderland, took his tally to eight, seeing him become the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Stunning Return to Form The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its final stages. But, the statistics supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are genuinely notable. His six-game scoring sequence places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League fixtures. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his top stands at two individual five-match runs. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Scoring Form? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A recent opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That instinct and positional sense inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a fan favourite at his previous club. Pundits point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker additional space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little flick beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of character and I've persisted and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now." His manager has voiced little astonishment at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has naturally fueled discussions of an England return. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the last European Championship. Analysts believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this standard. "He looks as in shape as he has in a considerable period," one commented. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Stiff Rivalry But, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive brace against Chelsea, is presently regarded as ahead in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also has the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might hinge on whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."