🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Edge - But Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Make the World Cup Only one goal in his initial ten top-flight games this campaign had plenty of wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. Yet, a just four weeks later, he stands as the most discussed attacker in England following scoring 7 goals in 6 straight games. His most recent finish, in a stalemate against Sunderland, took his total to eight, seeing him become the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign. A Stunning 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 blighted by fitness issues in its latter stages. However, the numbers behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely remarkable. His six-game scoring run places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his top stands at two separate five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Hot Streak? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager summed it up succinctly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That natural ability and positional sense inside the box was what turned him into a popular figure at his previous club. Pundits note the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, helping more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, which has given the striker a little more space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has expressed little astonishment at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the division. World Cup Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has naturally fueled talks of an England recall. The former 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 think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a considerable period," one commented. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Intense Competition Yet, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive double against Chelsea, is right now regarded as ahead in the pecking order, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to test teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many specialist strikers the head coach decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
Only one goal in his initial ten top-flight games this campaign had plenty of wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. Yet, a just four weeks later, he stands as the most discussed attacker in England following scoring 7 goals in 6 straight games. His most recent finish, in a stalemate against Sunderland, took his total to eight, seeing him become the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign. A Stunning 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 blighted by fitness issues in its latter stages. However, the numbers behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely remarkable. His six-game scoring run places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his top stands at two separate five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Hot Streak? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager summed it up succinctly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That natural ability and positional sense inside the box was what turned him into a popular figure at his previous club. Pundits note the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, helping more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, which has given the striker a little more space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has expressed little astonishment at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the division. World Cup Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has naturally fueled talks of an England recall. The former 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 think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a considerable period," one commented. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Intense Competition Yet, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive double against Chelsea, is right now regarded as ahead in the pecking order, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to test teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many specialist strikers the head coach decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."