🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Make the International Squad Just one goal in his first ten Premier League outings this campaign had numerous questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were behind him. However, a mere four weeks on, he stands as the most discussed forward in England following netting seven goals in six straight games. His most recent finish, in a stalemate against Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, making him the top English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its final stages. However, the numbers behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely notable. His six-match scoring streak sees him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his longest is two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who produced 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 this period? A latest opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager stated. "He's smart and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That nose for goal and timing inside the penalty area was what established him as a fan favourite at his former team. Analysts highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, which has created the striker additional space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of character and I've persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has expressed complete confidence at this hot streak, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably ignited conversations of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the national team since the previous European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one commented. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition But, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is presently seen as in front in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you look at the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major tournament." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad could hinge on how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to take. "I think it might come down to whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
Just one goal in his first ten Premier League outings this campaign had numerous questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were behind him. However, a mere four weeks on, he stands as the most discussed forward in England following netting seven goals in six straight games. His most recent finish, in a stalemate against Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, making him the top English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its final stages. However, the numbers behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely notable. His six-match scoring streak sees him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his longest is two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who produced 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 this period? A latest opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager stated. "He's smart and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That nose for goal and timing inside the penalty area was what established him as a fan favourite at his former team. Analysts highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, which has created the striker additional space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of character and I've persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has expressed complete confidence at this hot streak, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably ignited conversations of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the national team since the previous European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one commented. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition But, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is presently seen as in front in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you look at the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major tournament." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad could hinge on how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to take. "I think it might come down to whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."