🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Edge - However Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Make the World Cup Only one goal in his opening ten top-flight games this season had many questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past. But, a just four weeks later, he is the most talked-about striker in England after scoring seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His newest strike, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Remarkable Return to Form The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by injuries in its latter stages. Yet, the data behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are extremely impressive. His six-game scoring sequence places him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his best stands at two distinct five-match runs. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the 18-yard box was what established him as a popular figure at his former team. Pundits point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker additional space. "He is a classic centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and this is the result." His manager has voiced no surprise at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the league. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably sparked talks of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the last European Championship. Pundits feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this level. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one commented. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition But, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive double versus Chelsea, is right now regarded as in front in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a big competition." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
Only one goal in his opening ten top-flight games this season had many questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past. But, a just four weeks later, he is the most talked-about striker in England after scoring seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His newest strike, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Remarkable Return to Form The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by injuries in its latter stages. Yet, the data behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are extremely impressive. His six-game scoring sequence places him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his best stands at two distinct five-match runs. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the 18-yard box was what established him as a popular figure at his former team. Pundits point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker additional space. "He is a classic centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and this is the result." His manager has voiced no surprise at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the league. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably sparked talks of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the last European Championship. Pundits feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this level. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one commented. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition But, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive double versus Chelsea, is right now regarded as in front in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a big competition." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."