🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Advantage - But Calvert-Lewin May Yet Make the World Cup Only one goal in his initial ten Premier League games this campaign had plenty of wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were behind him. But, a mere four weeks afterwards, he stands as the hottest striker in England after scoring seven goals in six back-to-back games. His newest finish, in a tie against Sunderland, took his total to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. 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 final stages. Yet, the data supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely remarkable. His six-game scoring run sees him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run of this length - his best remains two separate five-match streaks. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager summed it up perfectly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal and timing inside the 18-yard box was what made him a beloved player at his former team. Pundits point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, which has created the striker some extra space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A test of resolve and I've persisted and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now." His manager has voiced no surprise at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has inevitably fueled talks of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not represented the national team since the last European Championship. Pundits feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as in shape as he has in a considerable period," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Intense Competition However, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning two goals versus Chelsea, is currently regarded as leading in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you compare 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 significant impact at a big competition." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad could hinge on how many specialist strikers the head coach decides to select. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
Only one goal in his initial ten Premier League games this campaign had plenty of wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were behind him. But, a mere four weeks afterwards, he stands as the hottest striker in England after scoring seven goals in six back-to-back games. His newest finish, in a tie against Sunderland, took his total to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. 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 final stages. Yet, the data supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely remarkable. His six-game scoring run sees him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run of this length - his best remains two separate five-match streaks. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager summed it up perfectly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal and timing inside the 18-yard box was what made him a beloved player at his former team. Pundits point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, which has created the striker some extra space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A test of resolve and I've persisted and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now." His manager has voiced no surprise at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has inevitably fueled talks of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not represented the national team since the last European Championship. Pundits feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as in shape as he has in a considerable period," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Intense Competition However, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning two goals versus Chelsea, is currently regarded as leading in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you compare 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 significant impact at a big competition." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad could hinge on how many specialist strikers the head coach decides to select. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."