🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Advantage - But Calvert-Lewin Might Yet Secure the International Squad Only one goal in his opening ten top-flight appearances this campaign had many doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were over. However, a just four weeks later, he is the most discussed striker in England after netting 7 goals in six straight games. His latest strike, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, establishing him as the highest English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Remarkable Revival The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by injuries in its closing stages. Yet, the numbers behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are truly impressive. His six-match scoring sequence puts 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 did not achieve a run this long - his longest is two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Scoring Form? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager stated. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the box was what turned him into a popular figure at his former team. Pundits note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, helping a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. 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 expressed little astonishment at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition. International Conversation Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has predictably sparked talks of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the previous European Championship. Pundits think the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this form. "He looks as in shape as he has in a long time," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry Yet, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is presently regarded as in front in the pecking order, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was said. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a major tournament." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
Only one goal in his opening ten top-flight appearances this campaign had many doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were over. However, a just four weeks later, he is the most discussed striker in England after netting 7 goals in six straight games. His latest strike, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, establishing him as the highest English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Remarkable Revival The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by injuries in its closing stages. Yet, the numbers behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are truly impressive. His six-match scoring sequence puts 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 did not achieve a run this long - his longest is two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Scoring Form? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager stated. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the box was what turned him into a popular figure at his former team. Pundits note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, helping a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. 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 expressed little astonishment at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition. International Conversation Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has predictably sparked talks of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the previous European Championship. Pundits think the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this form. "He looks as in shape as he has in a long time," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry Yet, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is presently regarded as in front in the pecking order, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was said. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a major tournament." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."