🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Edge - However Calvert-Lewin May Yet Make the International Squad Only one goal in his first ten English top division appearances this season had many doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. Yet, a just four weeks on, he is the most discussed attacker in England following bagging seven goals in six consecutive games. His most recent strike, in a tie versus Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by injuries in its final stages. Yet, the data supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are truly remarkable. His six-match scoring run places him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League fixtures. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his top is two separate five-match runs. And the only 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 Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A previous opponent's manager summed it up succinctly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That natural ability and positional sense inside the penalty area was what made him a fan favourite at his former team. Experts point to 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, thereby given the striker a little more space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of character and I've persisted and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now." His manager has shown little astonishment at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has naturally sparked conversations of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, netting four goals, but has not represented the national team since the last European Championship. Pundits think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this standard. "He looks as in shape 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." Fierce Rivalry But, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive brace against Chelsea, is currently considered to be leading in the pecking order, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was said. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert summarized. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
Only one goal in his first ten English top division appearances this season had many doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. Yet, a just four weeks on, he is the most discussed attacker in England following bagging seven goals in six consecutive games. His most recent strike, in a tie versus Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by injuries in its final stages. Yet, the data supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are truly remarkable. His six-match scoring run places him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League fixtures. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his top is two separate five-match runs. And the only 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 Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A previous opponent's manager summed it up succinctly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That natural ability and positional sense inside the penalty area was what made him a fan favourite at his former team. Experts point to 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, thereby given the striker a little more space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of character and I've persisted and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now." His manager has shown little astonishment at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has naturally sparked conversations of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, netting four goals, but has not represented the national team since the last European Championship. Pundits think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this standard. "He looks as in shape 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." Fierce Rivalry But, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive brace against Chelsea, is currently considered to be leading in the pecking order, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was said. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert summarized. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."