🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Make the World Cup Just one goal in his opening ten English top division appearances this campaign had many wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. Yet, a only four weeks on, he is the most talked-about forward in England following bagging seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His latest strike, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, establishing him as the highest English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Stunning Revival 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 injuries in its final stages. Yet, the data behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are genuinely impressive. His six-match scoring sequence puts him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his top remains two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A previous opponent's manager summed it up succinctly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That natural ability and positional sense inside the box was what made him a popular figure at his former team. Analysts point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker a little more space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now." His manager has expressed no surprise at this purple patch, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has naturally sparked discussions of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the country since the last European Championship. Observers believe the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this standard. "He looks as fit as he has in a while," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Intense Competition Yet, competition for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is currently seen as leading in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was stated. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major tournament." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the England manager decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert added. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
Just one goal in his opening ten English top division appearances this campaign had many wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. Yet, a only four weeks on, he is the most talked-about forward in England following bagging seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His latest strike, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, establishing him as the highest English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Stunning Revival 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 injuries in its final stages. Yet, the data behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are genuinely impressive. His six-match scoring sequence puts him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his top remains two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A previous opponent's manager summed it up succinctly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That natural ability and positional sense inside the box was what made him a popular figure at his former team. Analysts point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker a little more space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now." His manager has expressed no surprise at this purple patch, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has naturally sparked discussions of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the country since the last European Championship. Observers believe the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this standard. "He looks as fit as he has in a while," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Intense Competition Yet, competition for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is currently seen as leading in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was stated. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major tournament." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the England manager decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert added. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."