🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin Could Still Secure the World Cup Just one goal in his opening ten Premier League games this season had many doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past. Yet, a mere four weeks later, he has become the hottest striker in England after netting seven goals in six back-to-back games. His newest goal, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, making him the top English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Remarkable Revival The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its latter stages. Yet, the data supporting his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely impressive. His six-match scoring run puts him in exclusive company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League fixtures. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run of this length - his longest remains two separate five-match runs. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the box was what established him as a fan favourite at his previous club. Pundits highlight the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker a little more space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little touch beyond the keeper, a typical 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 persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has expressed no surprise at this hot streak, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the division. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has naturally ignited talks of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the country since the previous European Championship. Observers feel 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 long time," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry Yet, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is presently seen as ahead in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the national team coach decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an expert summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
Just one goal in his opening ten Premier League games this season had many doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past. Yet, a mere four weeks later, he has become the hottest striker in England after netting seven goals in six back-to-back games. His newest goal, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, making him the top English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Remarkable Revival The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its latter stages. Yet, the data supporting his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely impressive. His six-match scoring run puts him in exclusive company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League fixtures. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run of this length - his longest remains two separate five-match runs. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the box was what established him as a fan favourite at his previous club. Pundits highlight the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker a little more space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little touch beyond the keeper, a typical 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 persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has expressed no surprise at this hot streak, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the division. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has naturally ignited talks of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the country since the previous European Championship. Observers feel 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 long time," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry Yet, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is presently seen as ahead in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the national team coach decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an expert summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."