🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin May Yet Make the World Cup Only one goal in his opening ten English top division games this season had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. However, a only four weeks on, he has become the most talked-about attacker in England following scoring seven goals in 6 straight games. His most recent finish, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, establishing him as the highest English scorer in the Premier League this term. A Stunning Revival The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its closing stages. However, the statistics supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are truly impressive. His six-match scoring streak places him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his longest remains two individual five-match streaks. And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager summed it up perfectly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager stated. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That instinct and timing inside the box was what turned him into a popular figure at his previous club. Pundits note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, helping more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thus provided the striker some extra space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of character and I've persisted and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has shown little astonishment at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably fueled conversations of an England recall. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, with four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the last European Championship. Observers believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one remarked. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition However, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning two goals against Chelsea, is currently regarded as ahead in the hierarchy, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad may depend on how many specialist strikers the England manager decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether he includes 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 games this season had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. However, a only four weeks on, he has become the most talked-about attacker in England following scoring seven goals in 6 straight games. His most recent finish, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, establishing him as the highest English scorer in the Premier League this term. A Stunning Revival The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its closing stages. However, the statistics supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are truly impressive. His six-match scoring streak places him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his longest remains two individual five-match streaks. And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager summed it up perfectly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager stated. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That instinct and timing inside the box was what turned him into a popular figure at his previous club. Pundits note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, helping more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thus provided the striker some extra space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of character and I've persisted and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has shown little astonishment at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably fueled conversations of an England recall. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, with four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the last European Championship. Observers believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one remarked. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition However, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning two goals against Chelsea, is currently regarded as ahead in the hierarchy, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad may depend on how many specialist strikers the England manager decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."