🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin May Yet Secure the International Squad A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League appearances this season had numerous wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were behind him. However, a just four weeks on, he stands as the most talked-about striker in England following netting seven goals in six straight games. His newest goal, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Remarkable Revival The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by injuries in its final stages. Yet, the numbers behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely impressive. His six-match scoring sequence places him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his best stands at two separate five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager described it succinctly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager stated. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That natural ability and timing inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a fan favourite at his former team. Pundits note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, which has given the striker additional space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely 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 challenge of character and I've persisted and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has shown complete confidence at this hot streak, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league. International Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably fueled talks of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not played for the Three Lions since the last European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this level. "He looks as fit as he has in a while," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition Yet, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is currently considered to be in front in the selection race, according to some assessment. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was said. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a major tournament." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be 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 the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League appearances this season had numerous wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were behind him. However, a just four weeks on, he stands as the most talked-about striker in England following netting seven goals in six straight games. His newest goal, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Remarkable Revival The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by injuries in its final stages. Yet, the numbers behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely impressive. His six-match scoring sequence places him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his best stands at two separate five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager described it succinctly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager stated. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That natural ability and timing inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a fan favourite at his former team. Pundits note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, which has given the striker additional space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely 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 challenge of character and I've persisted and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has shown complete confidence at this hot streak, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league. International Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably fueled talks of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not played for the Three Lions since the last European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this level. "He looks as fit as he has in a while," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition Yet, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is currently considered to be in front in the selection race, according to some assessment. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was said. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a major tournament." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be 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 the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."