🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Edge - But Calvert-Lewin May Yet Secure the World Cup A solitary goal in his opening ten English top division appearances this season had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were over. But, a only four weeks on, he is the hottest striker in England after bagging seven goals in six straight games. His latest goal, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, elevated his season's haul to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign. A Remarkable Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was marred by injuries in its final stages. However, the numbers supporting his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are extremely impressive. His six-game scoring run places him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League fixtures. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his longest is two individual five-match runs. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Scoring Form? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager stated. "He's intelligent and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That natural ability and timing inside the penalty area was what established him as a beloved player at his previous club. Analysts point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, enabling a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker some extra space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little finish beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of resolve and I've persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and this is the result." His manager has expressed complete confidence at this hot streak, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably fueled discussions of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the national team since the previous European Championship. Analysts think the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "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." Fierce Competition But, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is currently regarded as in front in the hierarchy, according to some analysis. "If you look at the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
A solitary goal in his opening ten English top division appearances this season had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were over. But, a only four weeks on, he is the hottest striker in England after bagging seven goals in six straight games. His latest goal, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, elevated his season's haul to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign. A Remarkable Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was marred by injuries in its final stages. However, the numbers supporting his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are extremely impressive. His six-game scoring run places him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League fixtures. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his longest is two individual five-match runs. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Scoring Form? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager stated. "He's intelligent and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That natural ability and timing inside the penalty area was what established him as a beloved player at his previous club. Analysts point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, enabling a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker some extra space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little finish beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of resolve and I've persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and this is the result." His manager has expressed complete confidence at this hot streak, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably fueled discussions of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the national team since the previous European Championship. Analysts think the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "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." Fierce Competition But, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is currently regarded as in front in the hierarchy, according to some analysis. "If you look at the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."