🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin Might Yet Secure the International Squad A solitary goal in his first ten English top division appearances this campaign had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past. However, a only four weeks on, he is the hottest striker in England after netting seven goals in six back-to-back games. His newest goal, in a tie versus Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, establishing him as the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by injuries in its final stages. Yet, the numbers underpinning his comeback in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely remarkable. His six-match scoring streak sees him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his best stands at two distinct five-match runs. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager summed it up perfectly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "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 penalty area was what established him as a beloved player at his former team. Pundits point to the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, enabling a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker additional space. "He is a classic centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge 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 shown little astonishment at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league. International Conversation Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably ignited talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, with four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the previous European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard. "He looks as sharp as he has in a considerable period," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition But, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is right now regarded as leading in the pecking order, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was noted. "He also holds the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad could hinge on how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst summarized. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
A solitary goal in his first ten English top division appearances this campaign had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past. However, a only four weeks on, he is the hottest striker in England after netting seven goals in six back-to-back games. His newest goal, in a tie versus Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, establishing him as the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by injuries in its final stages. Yet, the numbers underpinning his comeback in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely remarkable. His six-match scoring streak sees him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his best stands at two distinct five-match runs. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager summed it up perfectly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "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 penalty area was what established him as a beloved player at his former team. Pundits point to the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, enabling a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker additional space. "He is a classic centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge 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 shown little astonishment at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league. International Conversation Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably ignited talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, with four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the previous European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard. "He looks as sharp as he has in a considerable period," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition But, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is right now regarded as leading in the pecking order, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was noted. "He also holds the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad could hinge on how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst summarized. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."