🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin Could Still Secure the International Squad Only one goal in his first ten Premier League appearances this season had many doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were behind him. However, a only four weeks later, he has become the most discussed striker in England after bagging seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His latest finish, in a stalemate against Sunderland, elevated his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the highest English scorer in the Premier League this campaign. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its final stages. Yet, the data behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are extremely notable. His six-game scoring run places him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League fixtures. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his longest is two separate five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Hot Streak? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That instinct and positional sense inside the penalty area was what made him a beloved player at his former team. Experts point to 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 traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A challenge of mentality and I've persisted and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has voiced little astonishment at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the league. World Cup Conversation Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably fueled conversations of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not played for the country since the previous European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a while," one commented. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition Yet, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is presently considered to be in front in the hierarchy, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major tournament." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the England manager decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an expert added. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
Only one goal in his first ten Premier League appearances this season had many doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were behind him. However, a only four weeks later, he has become the most discussed striker in England after bagging seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His latest finish, in a stalemate against Sunderland, elevated his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the highest English scorer in the Premier League this campaign. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its final stages. Yet, the data behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are extremely notable. His six-game scoring run places him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League fixtures. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his longest is two separate five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Hot Streak? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That instinct and positional sense inside the penalty area was what made him a beloved player at his former team. Experts point to 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 traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A challenge of mentality and I've persisted and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has voiced little astonishment at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the league. World Cup Conversation Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably fueled conversations of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not played for the country since the previous European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a while," one commented. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition Yet, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is presently considered to be in front in the hierarchy, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major tournament." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the England manager decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an expert added. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."