🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin May Still Secure the International Squad Only one goal in his first ten top-flight appearances this season had numerous questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. However, a just four weeks on, he stands as the most talked-about attacker in England following bagging seven goals in six consecutive games. His latest goal, in a tie versus Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, establishing him as the top English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by injuries in its closing stages. But, the data behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely remarkable. His six-game scoring sequence puts him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run of this length - his longest stands at two separate five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in this period? A recent opponent's manager described it succinctly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That instinct and positional sense inside the penalty area was what established him as a fan favourite at his former team. Experts note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, helping more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker additional space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through 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 backed myself and here I am now." His manager has expressed no surprise at this hot streak, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the division. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has naturally sparked conversations of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the most recent European Championship. Analysts believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one remarked. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry Yet, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is currently considered to be in front in the pecking order, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was stated. "He also holds the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
Only one goal in his first ten top-flight appearances this season had numerous questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. However, a just four weeks on, he stands as the most talked-about attacker in England following bagging seven goals in six consecutive games. His latest goal, in a tie versus Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, establishing him as the top English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by injuries in its closing stages. But, the data behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely remarkable. His six-game scoring sequence puts him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run of this length - his longest stands at two separate five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in this period? A recent opponent's manager described it succinctly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That instinct and positional sense inside the penalty area was what established him as a fan favourite at his former team. Experts note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, helping more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker additional space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through 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 backed myself and here I am now." His manager has expressed no surprise at this hot streak, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the division. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has naturally sparked conversations of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the most recent European Championship. Analysts believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one remarked. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry Yet, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is currently considered to be in front in the pecking order, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was stated. "He also holds the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."