🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Edge - However Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Secure the International Squad Only one goal in his opening ten English top division outings this campaign had numerous doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were behind him. Yet, a mere four weeks on, he has become the most talked-about striker in England following bagging seven goals in six back-to-back games. His latest strike, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, took his tally to eight, establishing him as the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its closing stages. But, the statistics supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are extremely notable. His six-match scoring run puts him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League matches. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his top is two separate five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? Why has Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in recent weeks? A latest opponent's manager described it succinctly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what turned him into a beloved player at his former team. Analysts note the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker a little more space. "He is a classic centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've backed myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has shown no surprise at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the division. World Cup Question Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has inevitably ignited conversations of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the previous European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this level. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition However, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive brace against Chelsea, is currently considered to be in front in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the edge in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was stated. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many natural strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
Only one goal in his opening ten English top division outings this campaign had numerous doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were behind him. Yet, a mere four weeks on, he has become the most talked-about striker in England following bagging seven goals in six back-to-back games. His latest strike, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, took his tally to eight, establishing him as the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its closing stages. But, the statistics supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are extremely notable. His six-match scoring run puts him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League matches. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his top is two separate five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? Why has Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in recent weeks? A latest opponent's manager described it succinctly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what turned him into a beloved player at his former team. Analysts note the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker a little more space. "He is a classic centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've backed myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has shown no surprise at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the division. World Cup Question Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has inevitably ignited conversations of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the previous European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this level. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition However, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive brace against Chelsea, is currently considered to be in front in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the edge in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was stated. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many natural strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."