🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Edge - But Calvert-Lewin Might Still Make the World Cup A solitary goal in his first ten top-flight appearances this season had numerous wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past. However, a only four weeks later, he stands as the most discussed forward in England following bagging 7 goals in six straight games. His newest goal, in a stalemate against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its final stages. Yet, the statistics underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are extremely impressive. His six-game scoring run places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League fixtures. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his top is two distinct five-match runs. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in recent weeks? A latest opponent's manager summed it up aptly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and timing inside the box was what turned him into a beloved player at his previous club. Pundits note the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus provided the striker a little more space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has voiced no surprise at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the division. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably ignited discussions of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, scoring four goals, but has not played for the country since the previous European Championship. Analysts think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Fierce Rivalry But, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning double against Chelsea, is currently regarded as leading in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was stated. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major tournament." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
A solitary goal in his first ten top-flight appearances this season had numerous wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past. However, a only four weeks later, he stands as the most discussed forward in England following bagging 7 goals in six straight games. His newest goal, in a stalemate against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its final stages. Yet, the statistics underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are extremely impressive. His six-game scoring run places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League fixtures. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his top is two distinct five-match runs. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in recent weeks? A latest opponent's manager summed it up aptly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and timing inside the box was what turned him into a beloved player at his previous club. Pundits note the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus provided the striker a little more space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has voiced no surprise at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the division. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably ignited discussions of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, scoring four goals, but has not played for the country since the previous European Championship. Analysts think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Fierce Rivalry But, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning double against Chelsea, is currently regarded as leading in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was stated. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major tournament." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."