🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin May Yet Secure the International Squad A solitary goal in his opening ten top-flight appearances this season had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past. Yet, a only four weeks on, he stands as the hottest forward in England following netting 7 goals in six straight games. His latest strike, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the leading English scorer in the Premier League this campaign. A Stunning Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by setbacks in its latter stages. But, the numbers supporting his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely notable. His six-match scoring run puts him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League fixtures. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his longest is two individual five-match runs. And the only English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Purple Patch? Why has Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager explained it perfectly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager stated. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and timing inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a popular figure at his former team. Pundits point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker a little more space. "He is a classic centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of resolve and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has expressed complete confidence at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the league. World Cup Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably ignited talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not played for the national team since the previous European Championship. Pundits feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this form. "He looks as in shape as he has in a considerable period," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Rivalry But, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is currently regarded as in front in the hierarchy, according to some assessment. "If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was said. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a major tournament." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
A solitary goal in his opening ten top-flight appearances this season had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past. Yet, a only four weeks on, he stands as the hottest forward in England following netting 7 goals in six straight games. His latest strike, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the leading English scorer in the Premier League this campaign. A Stunning Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by setbacks in its latter stages. But, the numbers supporting his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely notable. His six-match scoring run puts him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League fixtures. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his longest is two individual five-match runs. And the only English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Purple Patch? Why has Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager explained it perfectly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager stated. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That nose for goal and timing inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a popular figure at his former team. Pundits point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker a little more space. "He is a classic centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of resolve and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has expressed complete confidence at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the league. World Cup Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably ignited talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not played for the national team since the previous European Championship. Pundits feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this form. "He looks as in shape as he has in a considerable period," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Rivalry But, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is currently regarded as in front in the hierarchy, according to some assessment. "If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was said. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a major tournament." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."