🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin May Yet Make the International Squad Only one goal in his opening ten top-flight games this season had many doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. Yet, a just four weeks afterwards, he is the most talked-about attacker in England after scoring seven goals in six straight games. His newest goal, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, establishing him as the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Revival The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its final stages. Yet, the statistics behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are extremely impressive. His six-match scoring streak sees him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run lasting this many games - his best is two individual five-match streaks. And the only English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Hot Streak? Why has Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in recent weeks? A latest opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what established him as a fan favourite at his previous club. Experts note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus provided the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little finish beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and this is the result." His manager has voiced no surprise at this purple patch, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably ignited conversations of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, netting four goals, but has not played for the national team since the last 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 while," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Intense Competition Yet, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is presently seen as leading in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was said. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
Only one goal in his opening ten top-flight games this season had many doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. Yet, a just four weeks afterwards, he is the most talked-about attacker in England after scoring seven goals in six straight games. His newest goal, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, establishing him as the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Revival The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its final stages. Yet, the statistics behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are extremely impressive. His six-match scoring streak sees him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run lasting this many games - his best is two individual five-match streaks. And the only English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Hot Streak? Why has Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in recent weeks? A latest opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what established him as a fan favourite at his previous club. Experts note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus provided the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little finish beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and this is the result." His manager has voiced no surprise at this purple patch, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably ignited conversations of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, netting four goals, but has not played for the national team since the last 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 while," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Intense Competition Yet, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is presently seen as leading in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was said. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."