🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Advantage - But Calvert-Lewin May Still Secure the World Cup Only one goal in his first ten Premier League games this season had plenty of wondering whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were behind him. However, a just four weeks later, he stands as the hottest forward in England following netting 7 goals in 6 back-to-back games. His newest strike, in a tie against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, establishing him as the top English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its closing stages. Yet, the data supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are truly notable. His six-match scoring streak puts him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League matches. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his longest remains two individual five-match runs. And the only English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That instinct and positional sense inside the 18-yard box was what established him as a beloved player at his former team. Experts point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker additional space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has voiced complete confidence at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the division. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably fueled conversations of an England recall. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, netting four goals, but has not represented the national team since the most recent European Championship. Pundits believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard. "He looks as sharp as he has in a while," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition Yet, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive double versus Chelsea, is currently seen as leading in the selection race, according to some assessment. "If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad could hinge on how many specialist strikers the England manager decides to take. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an expert added. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
Only one goal in his first ten Premier League games this season had plenty of wondering whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were behind him. However, a just four weeks later, he stands as the hottest forward in England following netting 7 goals in 6 back-to-back games. His newest strike, in a tie against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, establishing him as the top English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its closing stages. Yet, the data supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are truly notable. His six-match scoring streak puts him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League matches. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his longest remains two individual five-match runs. And the only English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That instinct and positional sense inside the 18-yard box was what established him as a beloved player at his former team. Experts point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker additional space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has voiced complete confidence at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the division. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably fueled conversations of an England recall. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, netting four goals, but has not represented the national team since the most recent European Championship. Pundits believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard. "He looks as sharp as he has in a while," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition Yet, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive double versus Chelsea, is currently seen as leading in the selection race, according to some assessment. "If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad could hinge on how many specialist strikers the England manager decides to take. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an expert added. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."