🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin Might Still Make the World Cup A solitary goal in his first ten English top division appearances this season had numerous doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were over. But, a just four weeks on, he is the most talked-about forward in England after scoring seven goals in six back-to-back games. His most recent goal, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its final stages. But, the statistics behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are genuinely impressive. His six-game scoring streak puts him in elite 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 never managed a run lasting this many games - his best remains two individual five-match runs. And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager described it aptly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and timing inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a beloved player at his former team. Experts point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, which has provided the striker a little more space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely 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 lows. A challenge of resolve and I've persisted and kept going... I've backed myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has expressed little astonishment at this hot streak, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has inevitably sparked discussions of an England recall. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the most recent European Championship. Observers feel the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition But, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is right now regarded as in front in the pecking order, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major tournament." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the England manager decides to include. "I think it might depend on whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
A solitary goal in his first ten English top division appearances this season had numerous doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were over. But, a just four weeks on, he is the most talked-about forward in England after scoring seven goals in six back-to-back games. His most recent goal, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its final stages. But, the statistics behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are genuinely impressive. His six-game scoring streak puts him in elite 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 never managed a run lasting this many games - his best remains two individual five-match runs. And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager described it aptly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and timing inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a beloved player at his former team. Experts point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, which has provided the striker a little more space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely 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 lows. A challenge of resolve and I've persisted and kept going... I've backed myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has expressed little astonishment at this hot streak, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has inevitably sparked discussions of an England recall. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the most recent European Championship. Observers feel the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition But, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is right now regarded as in front in the pecking order, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major tournament." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the England manager decides to include. "I think it might depend on whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."