🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Edge - However Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Make the World Cup Only one goal in his first ten Premier League games this season had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. But, a just four weeks later, he has become the most talked-about forward in England following bagging seven goals in 6 consecutive games. His newest finish, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, took his total to eight, seeing him become the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Revival The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its closing stages. But, the statistics behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely notable. His six-match scoring run places him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League matches. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his longest remains two separate 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 difficult to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager summed it up aptly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal and timing inside the box was what established him as a fan favourite at his former team. Pundits highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, which has given the striker additional space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A test of character and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now." His manager has voiced complete confidence at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably ignited discussions of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not represented the national team since the last European Championship. Pundits think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Stiff Rivalry However, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive two goals against Chelsea, is right now considered to be in front in the hierarchy, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was noted. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a major tournament." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to take. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
Only one goal in his first ten Premier League games this season had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. But, a just four weeks later, he has become the most talked-about forward in England following bagging seven goals in 6 consecutive games. His newest finish, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, took his total to eight, seeing him become the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Revival The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its closing stages. But, the statistics behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely notable. His six-match scoring run places him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League matches. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his longest remains two separate 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 difficult to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager summed it up aptly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal and timing inside the box was what established him as a fan favourite at his former team. Pundits highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, which has given the striker additional space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A test of character and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now." His manager has voiced complete confidence at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably ignited discussions of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not represented the national team since the last European Championship. Pundits think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Stiff Rivalry However, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive two goals against Chelsea, is right now considered to be in front in the hierarchy, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was noted. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a major tournament." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to take. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."