🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Edge - However Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Make the World Cup Just one goal in his first ten Premier League outings this campaign had many wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past. However, a mere four weeks later, he is the most talked-about attacker in England after scoring seven goals in six straight games. His most recent finish, in a tie against Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, establishing him as the top English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Remarkable Resurgence The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its latter stages. Yet, the data underpinning his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are truly notable. His six-game scoring run sees him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League matches. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his best stands at two separate five-match runs. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Hot Streak? Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in this period? A previous opponent's manager summed it up perfectly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and timing inside the penalty area was what established him as a popular figure at his previous club. Experts highlight the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, helping more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker a little more 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 endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A challenge of mentality and I've persisted and kept going... I've believed in myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has voiced complete confidence at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition. World Cup Conversation Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has predictably sparked talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, netting four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the previous European Championship. Observers feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this form. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry However, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is presently regarded as in front in the pecking order, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was stated. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a big competition." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad could hinge on how many natural strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might hinge on whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
Just one goal in his first ten Premier League outings this campaign had many wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past. However, a mere four weeks later, he is the most talked-about attacker in England after scoring seven goals in six straight games. His most recent finish, in a tie against Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, establishing him as the top English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Remarkable Resurgence The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its latter stages. Yet, the data underpinning his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are truly notable. His six-game scoring run sees him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League matches. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his best stands at two separate five-match runs. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Hot Streak? Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in this period? A previous opponent's manager summed it up perfectly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and timing inside the penalty area was what established him as a popular figure at his previous club. Experts highlight the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, helping more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker a little more 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 endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A challenge of mentality and I've persisted and kept going... I've believed in myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has voiced complete confidence at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition. World Cup Conversation Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has predictably sparked talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, netting four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the previous European Championship. Observers feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this form. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry However, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is presently regarded as in front in the pecking order, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was stated. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a big competition." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad could hinge on how many natural strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might hinge on whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."