🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin Might Yet Make the International Squad A solitary goal in his opening ten English top division appearances this season had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past. Yet, a mere four weeks on, he is the hottest attacker in England following bagging 7 goals in six back-to-back games. His most recent strike, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, took his total to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Remarkable Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its latter stages. Yet, the numbers supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are truly remarkable. His six-match scoring streak puts him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League outings. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run lasting this many games - his longest remains two distinct five-match runs. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Purple Patch? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A recent opponent's manager summed it up succinctly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That instinct and timing inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a popular figure at his previous club. Experts highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus given the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of mentality and I've persisted and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now." His manager has shown no surprise at this hot streak, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition. International Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably ignited talks of an England recall. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the last European Championship. Analysts think the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "He looks as fit as he has in a long time," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Stiff Rivalry However, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is presently seen as in front in the hierarchy, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was said. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might depend on whether the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
A solitary goal in his opening ten English top division appearances this season had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past. Yet, a mere four weeks on, he is the hottest attacker in England following bagging 7 goals in six back-to-back games. His most recent strike, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, took his total to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Remarkable Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its latter stages. Yet, the numbers supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are truly remarkable. His six-match scoring streak puts him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League outings. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run lasting this many games - his longest remains two distinct five-match runs. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Purple Patch? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A recent opponent's manager summed it up succinctly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That instinct and timing inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a popular figure at his previous club. Experts highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus given the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of mentality and I've persisted and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now." His manager has shown no surprise at this hot streak, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition. International Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably ignited talks of an England recall. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the last European Championship. Analysts think the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "He looks as fit as he has in a long time," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Stiff Rivalry However, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is presently seen as in front in the hierarchy, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was said. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might depend on whether the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."