🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin Might Still Secure the World Cup Just one goal in his opening ten English top division games this campaign had many doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. But, a just four weeks on, he stands as the most talked-about striker in England following bagging seven goals in six consecutive games. His most recent finish, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Resurgence The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its latter stages. But, the statistics underpinning his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are extremely remarkable. His six-match scoring streak sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run of this length - his top is two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Purple Patch? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager described it succinctly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager stated. "He's clever and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal 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 significant factor, enabling more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker additional space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A test of resolve and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has shown complete confidence at this hot streak, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the league. International Conversation Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably fueled conversations of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, with four goals, but has not represented the national team since the last European Championship. Pundits feel the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard. "He looks as in shape as he has in a long time," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition Yet, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is right now regarded as leading in the hierarchy, according to some analysis. "If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was said. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a big competition." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many natural strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might depend on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an expert added. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
Just one goal in his opening ten English top division games this campaign had many doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. But, a just four weeks on, he stands as the most talked-about striker in England following bagging seven goals in six consecutive games. His most recent finish, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Resurgence The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its latter stages. But, the statistics underpinning his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are extremely remarkable. His six-match scoring streak sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run of this length - his top is two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Purple Patch? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager described it succinctly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager stated. "He's clever and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal 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 significant factor, enabling more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker additional space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A test of resolve and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has shown complete confidence at this hot streak, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the league. International Conversation Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably fueled conversations of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, with four goals, but has not represented the national team since the last European Championship. Pundits feel the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard. "He looks as in shape as he has in a long time," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition Yet, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is right now regarded as leading in the hierarchy, according to some analysis. "If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was said. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a big competition." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many natural strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might depend on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an expert added. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."