🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Edge - But Calvert-Lewin May Yet Secure the World Cup A solitary goal in his initial ten top-flight games this campaign had plenty of questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. Yet, a only four weeks afterwards, he has become the hottest forward in England after bagging 7 goals in 6 back-to-back games. His most recent finish, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, making him the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Stunning Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its closing stages. But, the data underpinning his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are truly impressive. His six-match scoring sequence sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his best remains two separate five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A recent opponent's manager explained it perfectly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager stated. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That natural ability and timing inside the box 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, allowing a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker a little more space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of resolve and I've persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and this is the result." His manager has expressed complete confidence at this hot streak, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has naturally fueled talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, with four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the previous European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one remarked. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry But, competition for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive double against Chelsea, is right now regarded as leading in the hierarchy, according to some assessment. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to get behind 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 makes it to the squad could hinge on how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit summarized. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
A solitary goal in his initial ten top-flight games this campaign had plenty of questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. Yet, a only four weeks afterwards, he has become the hottest forward in England after bagging 7 goals in 6 back-to-back games. His most recent finish, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, making him the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Stunning Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its closing stages. But, the data underpinning his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are truly impressive. His six-match scoring sequence sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his best remains two separate five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A recent opponent's manager explained it perfectly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager stated. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That natural ability and timing inside the box 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, allowing a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker a little more space. "He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of resolve and I've persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and this is the result." His manager has expressed complete confidence at this hot streak, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has naturally fueled talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, with four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the previous European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one remarked. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry But, competition for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive double against Chelsea, is right now regarded as leading in the hierarchy, according to some assessment. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to get behind 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 makes it to the squad could hinge on how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit summarized. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."