🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Edge - But Calvert-Lewin Might Yet Make the International Squad A solitary goal in his initial ten English top division outings this campaign had numerous wondering whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. However, a just four weeks later, he stands as the most discussed striker in England after bagging 7 goals in 6 back-to-back games. His latest strike, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Stunning Revival The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by injuries in its closing stages. But, the data underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are extremely impressive. His six-game scoring sequence sees him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League matches. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his longest stands at two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Hot Streak? Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in recent weeks? A recent opponent's manager explained it perfectly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager said. "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 box was what made him a beloved player at his previous club. Analysts point to the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus given the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has shown complete confidence at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition. World Cup Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably fueled talks of an England recall. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, scoring four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the most recent European Championship. Observers believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this standard. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one remarked. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry But, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive double versus Chelsea, is right now considered to be leading in the hierarchy, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad could hinge on how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might depend on whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
A solitary goal in his initial ten English top division outings this campaign had numerous wondering whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. However, a just four weeks later, he stands as the most discussed striker in England after bagging 7 goals in 6 back-to-back games. His latest strike, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Stunning Revival The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by injuries in its closing stages. But, the data underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are extremely impressive. His six-game scoring sequence sees him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League matches. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his longest stands at two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Hot Streak? Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in recent weeks? A recent opponent's manager explained it perfectly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager said. "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 box was what made him a beloved player at his previous club. Analysts point to the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus given the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has shown complete confidence at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition. World Cup Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably fueled talks of an England recall. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, scoring four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the most recent European Championship. Observers believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this standard. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one remarked. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry But, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive double versus Chelsea, is right now considered to be leading in the hierarchy, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad could hinge on how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might depend on whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."