🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin Could Still Secure the International Squad A solitary goal in his initial ten Premier League games this season had plenty of wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past. Yet, a only four weeks on, he has become the hottest forward in England after scoring 7 goals in six straight games. His most recent finish, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Revival The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by injuries in its closing stages. However, the numbers underpinning his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are truly notable. His six-match scoring streak sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his top is two distinct five-match streaks. And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in this period? A recent opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager stated. "He's clever and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what made him a popular figure at his former team. Experts point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, which has given the striker a little more space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of resolve and I've hung in there and kept going... I've backed myself and this is the result." His manager has expressed little astonishment at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the division. World Cup Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably fueled talks of an England recall. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the national team since the most recent European Championship. Analysts believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition However, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is right now considered to be leading in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was said. "He also has the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a major tournament." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to take. "I think it might come down to whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an expert added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
A solitary goal in his initial ten Premier League games this season had plenty of wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past. Yet, a only four weeks on, he has become the hottest forward in England after scoring 7 goals in six straight games. His most recent finish, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Revival The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by injuries in its closing stages. However, the numbers underpinning his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are truly notable. His six-match scoring streak sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his top is two distinct five-match streaks. And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in this period? A recent opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager stated. "He's clever and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what made him a popular figure at his former team. Experts point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, which has given the striker a little more space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of resolve and I've hung in there and kept going... I've backed myself and this is the result." His manager has expressed little astonishment at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the division. World Cup Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably fueled talks of an England recall. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the national team since the most recent European Championship. Analysts believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition However, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is right now considered to be leading in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was said. "He also has the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a major tournament." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to take. "I think it might come down to whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an expert added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."