🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Edge - But Calvert-Lewin Could Still Make the World Cup Just one goal in his first ten Premier League games this season had numerous questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. Yet, a just four weeks afterwards, he stands as the most talked-about forward in England following netting seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His most recent strike, in a tie against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League this term. A Stunning Resurgence The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was blighted by injuries in its closing stages. But, the numbers behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely notable. His six-match scoring streak sees him in exclusive company as just 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 longest stands at two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Scoring Form? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A recent opponent's manager summed it up succinctly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what established him as a popular figure at his previous club. Experts note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, enabling more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, which has given the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick beyond the keeper, a classic 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 believed in myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has shown complete confidence at this hot streak, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the division. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably sparked talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the national team since the most recent European Championship. Observers think the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this standard. "He looks as fit as he has in a long time," 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 Yet, competition for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive two goals against Chelsea, is right now considered to be leading in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to include. "I think it might depend on whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an expert summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
Just one goal in his first ten Premier League games this season had numerous questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. Yet, a just four weeks afterwards, he stands as the most talked-about forward in England following netting seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His most recent strike, in a tie against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League this term. A Stunning Resurgence The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was blighted by injuries in its closing stages. But, the numbers behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely notable. His six-match scoring streak sees him in exclusive company as just 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 longest stands at two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Scoring Form? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A recent opponent's manager summed it up succinctly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what established him as a popular figure at his previous club. Experts note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, enabling more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, which has given the striker some extra space. "He is a classic centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick beyond the keeper, a classic 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 believed in myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has shown complete confidence at this hot streak, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the division. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably sparked talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the national team since the most recent European Championship. Observers think the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this standard. "He looks as fit as he has in a long time," 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 Yet, competition for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive two goals against Chelsea, is right now considered to be leading in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to include. "I think it might depend on whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an expert summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."