🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Edge - But Calvert-Lewin Might Still Make the International Squad Only one goal in his opening ten English top division outings this season had plenty of doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over. However, a only four weeks later, he has become the most discussed attacker in England after bagging 7 goals in six back-to-back games. His most recent finish, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the leading English scorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its closing stages. However, the numbers supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are genuinely notable. His six-match scoring sequence places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League fixtures. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his longest remains two individual five-match runs. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Hot Streak? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A previous opponent's manager summed it up perfectly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's clever and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That instinct and positional sense inside the box was what made him a beloved player at his previous club. Pundits highlight the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, helping more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker some extra space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little finish beyond the keeper, a typical 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 persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has voiced complete confidence at this hot streak, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. World Cup Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has inevitably fueled talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not played for the national team since the last European Championship. Observers think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one commented. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Intense Competition However, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is presently considered to be in front in the pecking order, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was said. "He also has the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major tournament." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
Only one goal in his opening ten English top division outings this season had plenty of doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over. However, a only four weeks later, he has become the most discussed attacker in England after bagging 7 goals in six back-to-back games. His most recent finish, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the leading English scorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its closing stages. However, the numbers supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are genuinely notable. His six-match scoring sequence places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League fixtures. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his longest remains two individual five-match runs. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Hot Streak? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A previous opponent's manager summed it up perfectly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's clever and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That instinct and positional sense inside the box was what made him a beloved player at his previous club. Pundits highlight the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, helping more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker some extra space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little finish beyond the keeper, a typical 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 persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has voiced complete confidence at this hot streak, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. World Cup Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has inevitably fueled talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not played for the national team since the last European Championship. Observers think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one commented. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Intense Competition However, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is presently considered to be in front in the pecking order, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was said. "He also has the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major tournament." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."