🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin May Still Make the World Cup A solitary goal in his opening ten Premier League outings this season had many doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were behind him. Yet, a mere four weeks afterwards, he has become the most discussed striker in England following scoring 7 goals in 6 straight games. His most recent strike, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, took his total to eight, making him the highest English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by injuries in its latter stages. However, the data supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely impressive. His six-game scoring streak places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League fixtures. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run lasting this many games - his top stands at two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal and timing inside the penalty area was what established him as a fan favourite at his previous club. Experts note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, helping more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker additional space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted 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 highs and lots of lows. A test of character and I've persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and this is the result." His manager has expressed little astonishment at this purple patch, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the division. World Cup Question Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably sparked conversations of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the most recent European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this form. "He looks as in shape as he has in a long time," one commented. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry However, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive brace versus Chelsea, is presently considered to be ahead in the hierarchy, according to some assessment. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was noted. "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 could hinge on how many natural strikers the England manager decides to select. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
A solitary goal in his opening ten Premier League outings this season had many doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were behind him. Yet, a mere four weeks afterwards, he has become the most discussed striker in England following scoring 7 goals in 6 straight games. His most recent strike, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, took his total to eight, making him the highest English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by injuries in its latter stages. However, the data supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely impressive. His six-game scoring streak places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League fixtures. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run lasting this many games - his top stands at two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal and timing inside the penalty area was what established him as a fan favourite at his previous club. Experts note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, helping more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker additional space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted 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 highs and lots of lows. A test of character and I've persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and this is the result." His manager has expressed little astonishment at this purple patch, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the division. World Cup Question Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably sparked conversations of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the most recent European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this form. "He looks as in shape as he has in a long time," one commented. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry However, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive brace versus Chelsea, is presently considered to be ahead in the hierarchy, according to some assessment. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was noted. "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 could hinge on how many natural strikers the England manager decides to select. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."