🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin Could Still Secure the World Cup A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League games this season had many questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were over. Yet, a just four weeks later, he is the hottest forward in England after bagging seven goals in 6 straight games. His latest finish, in a tie against Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, making him the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Stunning Return to Form The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by setbacks in its latter stages. But, the data behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are genuinely notable. His six-match scoring sequence puts him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League fixtures. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run of this length - his top remains two individual five-match runs. And the only English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what turned him into a fan favourite at his previous club. Pundits note the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, which has provided the striker additional space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little finish beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of character and I've persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and this is the result." His manager has voiced little astonishment at this hot streak, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably sparked conversations of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the most recent European Championship. Pundits feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard. "He looks as sharp as he has in a while," one remarked. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry However, competition for places behind Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive double versus Chelsea, is currently regarded as ahead in the selection race, according to some assessment. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to test teams," it was said. "He also holds the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst summarized. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League games this season had many questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were over. Yet, a just four weeks later, he is the hottest forward in England after bagging seven goals in 6 straight games. His latest finish, in a tie against Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, making him the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Stunning Return to Form The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by setbacks in its latter stages. But, the data behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are genuinely notable. His six-match scoring sequence puts him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League fixtures. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run of this length - his top remains two individual five-match runs. And the only English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what turned him into a fan favourite at his previous club. Pundits note the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, which has provided the striker additional space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little finish beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of character and I've persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and this is the result." His manager has voiced little astonishment at this hot streak, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably sparked conversations of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the most recent European Championship. Pundits feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard. "He looks as sharp as he has in a while," one remarked. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry However, competition for places behind Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive double versus Chelsea, is currently regarded as ahead in the selection race, according to some assessment. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to test teams," it was said. "He also holds the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst summarized. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."