đź”— Share this article Watkins Maintains the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin Could Still Make the World Cup Only one goal in his first ten top-flight appearances this season had numerous wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past. However, a mere four weeks on, he stands as the most talked-about striker in England following bagging 7 goals in 6 back-to-back games. His latest strike, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, making him the top English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its final stages. However, the data behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are extremely impressive. 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 matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his best remains two distinct five-match streaks. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Hot Streak? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager summed it up perfectly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That instinct and timing inside the 18-yard box was what established him as a beloved player at his former team. Pundits highlight the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of resolve and I've persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has voiced no surprise at this purple patch, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has naturally sparked conversations of an England recall. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not played for the country since the most recent European Championship. Observers think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this form. "He looks as fit as he has in a long time," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition Yet, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is currently seen as ahead in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a major tournament." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad could hinge on how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
Only one goal in his first ten top-flight appearances this season had numerous wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past. However, a mere four weeks on, he stands as the most talked-about striker in England following bagging 7 goals in 6 back-to-back games. His latest strike, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, making him the top English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its final stages. However, the data behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are extremely impressive. 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 matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his best remains two distinct five-match streaks. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Hot Streak? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager summed it up perfectly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That instinct and timing inside the 18-yard box was what established him as a beloved player at his former team. Pundits highlight the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of resolve and I've persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has voiced no surprise at this purple patch, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has naturally sparked conversations of an England recall. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not played for the country since the most recent European Championship. Observers think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this form. "He looks as fit as he has in a long time," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition Yet, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is currently seen as ahead in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a major tournament." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad could hinge on how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."