🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin May Still Secure the International Squad Only one goal in his opening ten top-flight appearances this season had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were behind him. However, a mere four weeks on, he stands as the most talked-about attacker in England following scoring 7 goals in 6 back-to-back games. His latest goal, in a tie against Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, making him the top 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 hampered by fitness issues in its latter stages. But, the numbers supporting his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely impressive. His six-game scoring run places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League fixtures. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his longest remains two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That natural ability and timing inside the 18-yard box was what made him a fan favourite at his previous club. Analysts point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus given the striker additional space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little finish beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of character and I've persisted and kept going... I've believed in myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has expressed no surprise at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably ignited conversations of an England return. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not played for the national team since the most recent European Championship. Pundits think the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as fit as he has in a long time," one commented. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition Yet, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is presently seen as in front in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was stated. "He also holds 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 out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
Only one goal in his opening ten top-flight appearances this season had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were behind him. However, a mere four weeks on, he stands as the most talked-about attacker in England following scoring 7 goals in 6 back-to-back games. His latest goal, in a tie against Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, making him the top 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 hampered by fitness issues in its latter stages. But, the numbers supporting his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely impressive. His six-game scoring run places him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League fixtures. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his longest remains two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That natural ability and timing inside the 18-yard box was what made him a fan favourite at his previous club. Analysts point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus given the striker additional space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little finish beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of character and I've persisted and kept going... I've believed in myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has expressed no surprise at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably ignited conversations of an England return. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not played for the national team since the most recent European Championship. Pundits think the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as fit as he has in a long time," one commented. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition Yet, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is presently seen as in front in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was stated. "He also holds 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 out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."