🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Edge - However Calvert-Lewin May Still Make the World Cup Only one goal in his first ten Premier League outings this campaign had numerous wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. Yet, a only four weeks later, he has become the most discussed striker in England after bagging seven goals in 6 consecutive games. His newest finish, in a stalemate against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, establishing him as the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by injuries in its latter stages. Yet, the data underpinning his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are truly remarkable. His six-game scoring sequence puts him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League fixtures. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his best stands at two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager described it 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 18-yard box was what turned him into a popular figure at his previous club. Analysts point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker additional space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of mentality and I've persisted and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has voiced little astonishment at this purple patch, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition. International Conversation Calvert-Lewin's return to form has naturally sparked discussions of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, scoring four goals, but has not represented the country since the last European Championship. Observers think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this standard. "He looks as in shape as he has in a considerable period," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry But, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive brace versus Chelsea, is currently seen as ahead in the hierarchy, according to some assessment. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was noted. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
Only one goal in his first ten Premier League outings this campaign had numerous wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. Yet, a only four weeks later, he has become the most discussed striker in England after bagging seven goals in 6 consecutive games. His newest finish, in a stalemate against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, establishing him as the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by injuries in its latter stages. Yet, the data underpinning his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are truly remarkable. His six-game scoring sequence puts him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League fixtures. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his best stands at two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager described it 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 18-yard box was what turned him into a popular figure at his previous club. Analysts point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker additional space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of mentality and I've persisted and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has voiced little astonishment at this purple patch, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition. International Conversation Calvert-Lewin's return to form has naturally sparked discussions of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, scoring four goals, but has not represented the country since the last European Championship. Observers think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this standard. "He looks as in shape as he has in a considerable period," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry But, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive brace versus Chelsea, is currently seen as ahead in the hierarchy, according to some assessment. "If you compare the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was noted. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."