🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Edge - However Calvert-Lewin Might Still Make the World Cup A solitary goal in his opening ten Premier League appearances this campaign had numerous questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. However, a just four weeks afterwards, he is the hottest attacker in England after bagging 7 goals in six back-to-back games. His newest strike, in a stalemate against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, establishing him as the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Stunning Return to Form The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was marred by injuries in its closing stages. But, the data behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely notable. His six-game scoring run places him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League fixtures. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his best stands at two separate five-match runs. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A latest opponent's manager described it aptly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That instinct and timing inside the penalty area was what made him a popular figure at his previous club. Experts highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus provided the striker additional space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of mentality and I've persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has shown no surprise at this hot streak, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably ignited talks of an England recall. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not represented the country since the most recent European Championship. Pundits feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "He looks as in shape as he has in a considerable period," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Intense Competition Yet, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning two goals versus Chelsea, is currently considered to be leading in the hierarchy, according to some assessment. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to test teams," it was noted. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a significant 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 include. "I think it might hinge 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 opening ten Premier League appearances this campaign had numerous questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. However, a just four weeks afterwards, he is the hottest attacker in England after bagging 7 goals in six back-to-back games. His newest strike, in a stalemate against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, establishing him as the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Stunning Return to Form The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was marred by injuries in its closing stages. But, the data behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely notable. His six-game scoring run places him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League fixtures. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his best stands at two separate five-match runs. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A latest opponent's manager described it aptly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That instinct and timing inside the penalty area was what made him a popular figure at his previous club. Experts highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus provided the striker additional space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of mentality and I've persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has shown no surprise at this hot streak, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably ignited talks of an England recall. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not represented the country since the most recent European Championship. Pundits feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "He looks as in shape as he has in a considerable period," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Intense Competition Yet, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning two goals versus Chelsea, is currently considered to be leading in the hierarchy, according to some assessment. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to test teams," it was noted. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a significant 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 include. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."