🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Advantage - But Calvert-Lewin Could Still Make the World Cup A solitary goal in his first ten English top division games this season had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. Yet, a mere four weeks on, he stands as the most talked-about striker in England after bagging 7 goals in 6 back-to-back games. His latest strike, in a tie versus Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, seeing him become the leading English scorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its closing stages. However, the statistics underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are genuinely notable. His six-game scoring run puts him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his longest stands at two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A previous opponent's manager described it perfectly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager stated. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That nose for goal and timing inside the 18-yard box was what made him a popular figure at his former team. Experts highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, which has created the striker a little more space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of mentality and I've persisted and kept going... I've believed in myself and this is the result." His manager has shown complete confidence at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. World Cup Conversation Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has naturally ignited discussions of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the previous European Championship. Pundits believe the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard. "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 conversation for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition Yet, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive double versus Chelsea, is right now seen as in front in the pecking order, according to some assessment. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was noted. "He also has the advantage 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 national team coach decides to take. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
A solitary goal in his first ten English top division games this season had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. Yet, a mere four weeks on, he stands as the most talked-about striker in England after bagging 7 goals in 6 back-to-back games. His latest strike, in a tie versus Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, seeing him become the leading English scorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its closing stages. However, the statistics underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are genuinely notable. His six-game scoring run puts him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his longest stands at two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A previous opponent's manager described it perfectly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager stated. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That nose for goal and timing inside the 18-yard box was what made him a popular figure at his former team. Experts highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, which has created the striker a little more space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of mentality and I've persisted and kept going... I've believed in myself and this is the result." His manager has shown complete confidence at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. World Cup Conversation Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has naturally ignited discussions of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the previous European Championship. Pundits believe the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard. "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 conversation for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition Yet, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive double versus Chelsea, is right now seen as in front in the pecking order, according to some assessment. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was noted. "He also has the advantage 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 national team coach decides to take. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."