🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin Might Still Secure the World Cup A solitary goal in his opening ten English top division outings this season had plenty of wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over. Yet, a mere four weeks afterwards, he has become the most talked-about forward in England following scoring seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His newest strike, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by injuries in its final stages. However, the numbers supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are truly impressive. His six-game scoring streak sees him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run lasting this many games - his top remains two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager described it perfectly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's clever and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That natural ability and positional sense inside the box was what made him a beloved player at his previous club. Analysts highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing a greater number of players to occupy 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 experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A challenge of character and I've persisted and kept going... I've backed myself and this is the result." His manager has voiced no surprise at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. World Cup Conversation Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably fueled conversations of an England recall. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not played for the country since the last European Championship. Analysts think the striker will be in consideration 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 debate for a World Cup place." Stiff Rivalry However, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive double against Chelsea, is presently regarded as leading in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch 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 is part of the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst added. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
A solitary goal in his opening ten English top division outings this season had plenty of wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over. Yet, a mere four weeks afterwards, he has become the most talked-about forward in England following scoring seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His newest strike, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by injuries in its final stages. However, the numbers supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are truly impressive. His six-game scoring streak sees him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run lasting this many games - his top remains two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager described it perfectly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's clever and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That natural ability and positional sense inside the box was what made him a beloved player at his previous club. Analysts highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing a greater number of players to occupy 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 experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A challenge of character and I've persisted and kept going... I've backed myself and this is the result." His manager has voiced no surprise at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. World Cup Conversation Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably fueled conversations of an England recall. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not played for the country since the last European Championship. Analysts think the striker will be in consideration 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 debate for a World Cup place." Stiff Rivalry However, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive double against Chelsea, is presently regarded as leading in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch 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 is part of the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst added. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."