🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin May Yet Secure the International Squad A solitary goal in his opening ten English top division outings this season had plenty of wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were behind him. However, a only four weeks afterwards, he is the most discussed attacker in England after scoring seven goals in six consecutive games. His most recent finish, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, took his tally to eight, establishing him as the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Stunning Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its final stages. But, the statistics underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely notable. His six-match scoring streak sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League matches. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his top stands at two distinct five-match runs. And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Hot Streak? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager described it aptly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager stated. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That natural ability and timing inside the penalty area was what established him as a fan favourite at his previous club. Experts highlight the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, which has given the striker a little more space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick 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 character and I've persevered and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now." His manager has expressed no surprise at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has inevitably ignited talks of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, with four goals, but has not represented the country since the last European Championship. Pundits believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this form. "He looks as fit as he has in a considerable period," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Intense Competition Yet, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is right now seen as leading in the pecking order, according to some analysis. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins has the edge in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to select. "I think it might hinge on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
A solitary goal in his opening ten English top division outings this season had plenty of wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were behind him. However, a only four weeks afterwards, he is the most discussed attacker in England after scoring seven goals in six consecutive games. His most recent finish, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, took his tally to eight, establishing him as the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Stunning Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its final stages. But, the statistics underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely notable. His six-match scoring streak sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League matches. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his top stands at two distinct five-match runs. And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Hot Streak? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager described it aptly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager stated. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That natural ability and timing inside the penalty area was what established him as a fan favourite at his previous club. Experts highlight the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, which has given the striker a little more space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick 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 character and I've persevered and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now." His manager has expressed no surprise at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has inevitably ignited talks of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, with four goals, but has not represented the country since the last European Championship. Pundits believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this form. "He looks as fit as he has in a considerable period," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Intense Competition Yet, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is right now seen as leading in the pecking order, according to some analysis. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins has the edge in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to select. "I think it might hinge on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."