🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin Might Yet Make the International Squad A solitary goal in his first ten English top division outings this campaign had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over. Yet, a just four weeks later, he is the most talked-about forward in England after bagging 7 goals in 6 straight games. His latest finish, in a tie versus Sunderland, elevated his tally to eight, seeing him become the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its final stages. However, the data behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are genuinely notable. His six-game scoring streak sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his longest 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 spree for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager summed it up succinctly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That instinct and timing inside the box was what made him a beloved player at his previous club. Experts point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, allowing more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus given the striker a little more space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little flick 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 test of character and I've hung in there and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now." His manager has shown no surprise at this purple patch, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably ignited talks of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not played for the Three Lions since the last European Championship. Pundits think the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this form. "He looks as sharp 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." Fierce Rivalry But, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is presently regarded as ahead in the selection race, according to some assessment. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was stated. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
A solitary goal in his first ten English top division outings this campaign had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over. Yet, a just four weeks later, he is the most talked-about forward in England after bagging 7 goals in 6 straight games. His latest finish, in a tie versus Sunderland, elevated his tally to eight, seeing him become the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its final stages. However, the data behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are genuinely notable. His six-game scoring streak sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his longest 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 spree for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager summed it up succinctly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That instinct and timing inside the box was what made him a beloved player at his previous club. Experts point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, allowing more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus given the striker a little more space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little flick 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 test of character and I've hung in there and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now." His manager has shown no surprise at this purple patch, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. The England Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably ignited talks of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not played for the Three Lions since the last European Championship. Pundits think the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this form. "He looks as sharp 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." Fierce Rivalry But, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is presently regarded as ahead in the selection race, according to some assessment. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was stated. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to take. "I think it might depend on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."