🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin May Yet Secure the International Squad A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League appearances this campaign had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past. But, a mere four weeks later, he is the hottest attacker in England after netting 7 goals in 6 consecutive games. His most recent strike, in a stalemate against Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, establishing him as the highest English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its latter stages. But, the data behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are extremely impressive. His six-game scoring run places him in exclusive company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his top is two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Purple Patch? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager summed it up aptly. "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 instinct and timing inside the penalty area was what turned him into a fan favourite at his former team. Pundits point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker some extra space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A test of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has voiced no surprise at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the league. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably ignited discussions of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven 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 the mix for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this form. "He looks as sharp as he has in a while," one remarked. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition However, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is intense. 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 opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was said. "He also has the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major tournament." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might depend on whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit summarized. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League appearances this campaign had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past. But, a mere four weeks later, he is the hottest attacker in England after netting 7 goals in 6 consecutive games. His most recent strike, in a stalemate against Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, establishing him as the highest English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its latter stages. But, the data behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are extremely impressive. His six-game scoring run places him in exclusive company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his top is two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Purple Patch? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager summed it up aptly. "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 instinct and timing inside the penalty area was what turned him into a fan favourite at his former team. Pundits point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker some extra space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A test of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has voiced no surprise at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the league. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably ignited discussions of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven 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 the mix for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this form. "He looks as sharp as he has in a while," one remarked. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition However, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is intense. 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 opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was said. "He also has the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major tournament." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might depend on whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit summarized. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."