đź”— Share this article Watkins Maintains the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin May Yet Secure the World Cup Only one goal in his initial ten English top division appearances this campaign had many questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. Yet, a mere four weeks afterwards, he stands as the hottest attacker in England after netting seven goals in 6 consecutive games. His most recent strike, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, elevated his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the leading English scorer in the Premier League this term. A Stunning 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 hampered by injuries in its closing stages. Yet, the data behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are truly remarkable. His six-game scoring streak sees him in elite 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 of this length - his best remains two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A previous opponent's manager summed it up aptly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That instinct and timing inside the box was what turned him into a popular figure at his previous club. Analysts point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, allowing a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thus provided 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 been through a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A challenge of mentality and I've persisted and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has voiced little astonishment at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has naturally ignited talks of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the previous European Championship. Observers feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this standard. "He looks as in shape as he has in a considerable period," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Rivalry But, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning two goals versus Chelsea, is currently seen as ahead in the pecking order, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was said. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to select. "I think it might depend on whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
Only one goal in his initial ten English top division appearances this campaign had many questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. Yet, a mere four weeks afterwards, he stands as the hottest attacker in England after netting seven goals in 6 consecutive games. His most recent strike, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, elevated his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the leading English scorer in the Premier League this term. A Stunning 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 hampered by injuries in its closing stages. Yet, the data behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are truly remarkable. His six-game scoring streak sees him in elite 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 of this length - his best remains two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A previous opponent's manager summed it up aptly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That instinct and timing inside the box was what turned him into a popular figure at his previous club. Analysts point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, allowing a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thus provided 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 been through a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A challenge of mentality and I've persisted and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has voiced little astonishment at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has naturally ignited talks of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the previous European Championship. Observers feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this standard. "He looks as in shape as he has in a considerable period," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Rivalry But, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning two goals versus Chelsea, is currently seen as ahead in the pecking order, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was said. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to select. "I think it might depend on whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."