🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Advantage - But Calvert-Lewin May Still Secure the World Cup Just one goal in his first ten top-flight appearances this season had plenty of questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. But, a just four weeks on, he has become the hottest forward in England following scoring 7 goals in 6 straight games. His most recent strike, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, elevated his tally to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Revival The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its latter stages. Yet, the statistics behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are extremely remarkable. His six-game scoring streak puts him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League outings. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his best is two separate five-match runs. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in this period? A recent opponent's manager summed it up perfectly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That natural ability and positional sense inside the box was what turned him into a fan favourite at his previous club. Experts point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus provided the striker additional space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has expressed complete confidence at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition. World Cup Question Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has naturally sparked conversations of an England recall. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not represented the national team since the last European Championship. Analysts believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "He looks as fit as he has in a considerable period," one commented. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Stiff Rivalry But, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning double against Chelsea, is presently seen as ahead in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major tournament." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst summarized. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
Just one goal in his first ten top-flight appearances this season had plenty of questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. But, a just four weeks on, he has become the hottest forward in England following scoring 7 goals in 6 straight games. His most recent strike, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, elevated his tally to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Revival The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its latter stages. Yet, the statistics behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are extremely remarkable. His six-game scoring streak puts him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League outings. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his best is two separate five-match runs. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in this period? A recent opponent's manager summed it up perfectly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That natural ability and positional sense inside the box was what turned him into a fan favourite at his previous club. Experts point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus provided the striker additional space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has expressed complete confidence at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition. World Cup Question Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has naturally sparked conversations of an England recall. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not represented the national team since the last European Championship. Analysts believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "He looks as fit as he has in a considerable period," one commented. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Stiff Rivalry But, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning double against Chelsea, is presently seen as ahead in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major tournament." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst summarized. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."