🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Advantage - But Calvert-Lewin Could Still Secure the International Squad Just one goal in his opening ten English top division outings this campaign had many doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over. However, a just four weeks on, he is the hottest forward in England after netting seven goals in 6 consecutive games. His newest finish, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was blighted by setbacks in its closing stages. Yet, the numbers supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely remarkable. 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 fixtures. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his best remains two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager described it perfectly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager stated. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That instinct and positional sense inside the box was what established him as a beloved player at his previous club. Pundits note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, which has created the striker additional space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A challenge of mentality and I've persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has expressed no surprise at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has naturally ignited discussions of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not played for the national team since the most recent European Championship. Analysts think the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this form. "He looks as in shape as he has in a long time," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition But, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive double versus Chelsea, is currently considered to be in front in the pecking order, according to some analysis. "If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was noted. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a big competition." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad could hinge on how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to select. "I think it might depend on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
Just one goal in his opening ten English top division outings this campaign had many doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over. However, a just four weeks on, he is the hottest forward in England after netting seven goals in 6 consecutive games. His newest finish, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was blighted by setbacks in its closing stages. Yet, the numbers supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely remarkable. 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 fixtures. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his best remains two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager described it perfectly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager stated. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That instinct and positional sense inside the box was what established him as a beloved player at his previous club. Pundits note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, which has created the striker additional space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A challenge of mentality and I've persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has expressed no surprise at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has naturally ignited discussions of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not played for the national team since the most recent European Championship. Analysts think the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this form. "He looks as in shape as he has in a long time," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition But, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive double versus Chelsea, is currently considered to be in front in the pecking order, according to some analysis. "If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was noted. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a big competition." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad could hinge on how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to select. "I think it might depend on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."