🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin May Yet Secure the International Squad Only one goal in his first ten English top division games this season had many doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over. However, a mere four weeks afterwards, he is the most discussed attacker in England after bagging 7 goals in 6 straight games. His most recent finish, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, elevated his tally to eight, establishing him as the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Stunning Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its closing stages. However, the statistics supporting his comeback in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are extremely remarkable. His six-match scoring streak places him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League fixtures. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his top remains two separate five-match streaks. And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager stated. "He's smart and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That instinct and timing inside the box was what established him as a fan favourite at his previous club. Pundits note the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, which has provided the striker some extra space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little finish 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 had faith and here I am now." His manager has shown no surprise at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has naturally ignited conversations of an England recall. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not played for the country since the last European Championship. Observers believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this form. "He looks as fit as he has in a long time," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition But, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is currently seen as leading in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was said. "He also has the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the England manager decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
Only one goal in his first ten English top division games this season had many doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over. However, a mere four weeks afterwards, he is the most discussed attacker in England after bagging 7 goals in 6 straight games. His most recent finish, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, elevated his tally to eight, establishing him as the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Stunning Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its closing stages. However, the statistics supporting his comeback in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are extremely remarkable. His six-match scoring streak places him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League fixtures. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his top remains two separate five-match streaks. And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager stated. "He's smart and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That instinct and timing inside the box was what established him as a fan favourite at his previous club. Pundits note the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, which has provided the striker some extra space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little finish 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 had faith and here I am now." His manager has shown no surprise at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has naturally ignited conversations of an England recall. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not played for the country since the last European Championship. Observers believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this form. "He looks as fit as he has in a long time," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition But, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is currently seen as leading in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was said. "He also has the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the England manager decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."