🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin Could Still Make the World Cup Just one goal in his initial ten top-flight games this campaign had many doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were behind him. However, a only four weeks later, he has become the most discussed attacker in England after scoring seven goals in 6 consecutive games. His latest goal, in a stalemate against Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the leading English scorer in the Premier League this campaign. A Remarkable Resurgence The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by setbacks in its final stages. Yet, the statistics behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely remarkable. His six-match scoring run places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his top stands at two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager described it aptly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That instinct and positional sense inside the penalty area was what established him as a fan favourite at his former team. Experts note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of resolve and I've persisted and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has shown complete confidence at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division. International Conversation Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably sparked discussions of an England recall. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, netting four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the most recent European Championship. Observers feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a considerable period," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Intense Competition Yet, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning two goals versus Chelsea, is currently regarded as leading in the pecking order, according to some assessment. "If you look at the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was stated. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert added. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
Just one goal in his initial ten top-flight games this campaign had many doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were behind him. However, a only four weeks later, he has become the most discussed attacker in England after scoring seven goals in 6 consecutive games. His latest goal, in a stalemate against Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the leading English scorer in the Premier League this campaign. A Remarkable Resurgence The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by setbacks in its final stages. Yet, the statistics behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely remarkable. His six-match scoring run places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his top stands at two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager described it aptly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That instinct and positional sense inside the penalty area was what established him as a fan favourite at his former team. Experts note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of resolve and I've persisted and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has shown complete confidence at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division. International Conversation Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably sparked discussions of an England recall. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, netting four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the most recent European Championship. Observers feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a considerable period," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Intense Competition Yet, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning two goals versus Chelsea, is currently regarded as leading in the pecking order, according to some assessment. "If you look at the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was stated. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert added. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."