🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin May Yet Secure the International Squad Just one goal in his opening ten Premier League games this campaign had numerous doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past. But, a only four weeks afterwards, he stands as the most discussed striker in England following netting 7 goals in 6 straight games. His newest finish, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, took his tally to eight, making him the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its closing stages. Yet, the statistics behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely remarkable. His six-match scoring run puts him in prestigious 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 is two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager described it perfectly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what established him as a beloved player at his previous club. Pundits point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker a little more space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A challenge of character and I've persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has voiced no surprise at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably sparked talks of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not played for the country since the previous European Championship. Analysts think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this form. "He looks as fit as he has in a considerable period," 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 But, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is currently considered to be ahead in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the edge in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was said. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad could hinge on how many natural strikers the England manager decides to include. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
Just one goal in his opening ten Premier League games this campaign had numerous doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past. But, a only four weeks afterwards, he stands as the most discussed striker in England following netting 7 goals in 6 straight games. His newest finish, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, took his tally to eight, making him the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its closing stages. Yet, the statistics behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely remarkable. His six-match scoring run puts him in prestigious 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 is two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager described it perfectly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what established him as a beloved player at his previous club. Pundits point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker a little more space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A challenge of character and I've persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has voiced no surprise at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably sparked talks of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not played for the country since the previous European Championship. Analysts think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this form. "He looks as fit as he has in a considerable period," 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 But, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is currently considered to be ahead in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the edge in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was said. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad could hinge on how many natural strikers the England manager decides to include. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."