🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin Could Still Make the World Cup A solitary goal in his first ten English top division outings this campaign had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past. Yet, a mere four weeks on, he has become the hottest striker in England following scoring seven goals in six consecutive games. His most recent finish, in a tie against Sunderland, took his tally to eight, seeing him become the highest English scorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by injuries in its closing stages. But, the data behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely notable. His six-game scoring sequence sees him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his longest remains two individual five-match runs. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in recent weeks? A latest opponent's manager described it perfectly. "He has the impeccable 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 natural ability and positional sense inside the box was what made him a beloved player at his previous club. Analysts highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, enabling a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker a little more space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little finish beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now." His manager has voiced complete confidence at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the division. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has predictably fueled conversations of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not played 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 level. "He looks as fit as he has in a while," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition However, competition for places behind Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning two goals against Chelsea, is presently considered to be ahead in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins has the edge in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he certainly 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 in the past. Yet, a mere four weeks on, he has become the hottest striker in England following scoring seven goals in six consecutive games. His most recent finish, in a tie against Sunderland, took his tally to eight, seeing him become the highest English scorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by injuries in its closing stages. But, the data behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely notable. His six-game scoring sequence sees him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his longest remains two individual five-match runs. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in recent weeks? A latest opponent's manager described it perfectly. "He has the impeccable 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 natural ability and positional sense inside the box was what made him a beloved player at his previous club. Analysts highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, enabling a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker a little more space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little finish beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now." His manager has voiced complete confidence at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the division. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has predictably fueled conversations of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not played 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 level. "He looks as fit as he has in a while," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition However, competition for places behind Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning two goals against Chelsea, is presently considered to be ahead in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins has the edge in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."