🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin Could Still Make the International Squad Just one goal in his first ten top-flight outings this campaign had numerous wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. Yet, a mere four weeks later, he has become the hottest attacker in England after scoring 7 goals in 6 consecutive games. His latest strike, in a tie versus Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, making him the leading English scorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by injuries in its final stages. But, the statistics behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are truly impressive. His six-match scoring sequence puts him in exclusive company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League matches. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his top is two separate five-match runs. And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That instinct and positional sense inside the box was what made him a beloved player at his former team. Pundits note the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing a greater number of players to get into 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 finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of mentality and I've persisted and kept going... I've backed myself and this is the result." His manager has shown little astonishment at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition. International Question Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably sparked conversations of an England return. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the most recent European Championship. Pundits believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard. "He looks as sharp as he has in a while," 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 However, competition for places behind Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is presently regarded as leading in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the England manager decides to include. "I think it might depend on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
Just one goal in his first ten top-flight outings this campaign had numerous wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. Yet, a mere four weeks later, he has become the hottest attacker in England after scoring 7 goals in 6 consecutive games. His latest strike, in a tie versus Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, making him the leading English scorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by injuries in its final stages. But, the statistics behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are truly impressive. His six-match scoring sequence puts him in exclusive company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League matches. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his top is two separate five-match runs. And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That instinct and positional sense inside the box was what made him a beloved player at his former team. Pundits note the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing a greater number of players to get into 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 finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of mentality and I've persisted and kept going... I've backed myself and this is the result." His manager has shown little astonishment at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition. International Question Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably sparked conversations of an England return. The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the most recent European Championship. Pundits believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard. "He looks as sharp as he has in a while," 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 However, competition for places behind Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is presently regarded as leading in the selection race, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the England manager decides to include. "I think it might depend on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."