🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin Might Still Make the World Cup A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League outings this season had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. However, a only four weeks afterwards, he is the hottest attacker in England following scoring seven goals in 6 consecutive games. His most recent finish, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, establishing him as the top English scorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Resurgence The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its closing stages. Yet, the statistics behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are truly remarkable. His six-game scoring run puts him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League matches. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his longest remains two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager explained it perfectly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart 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 beloved player at his former team. Experts highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus provided the striker some extra space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has expressed little astonishment at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the division. International Question Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably fueled discussions of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the previous European Championship. Observers feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this form. "He looks as sharp as he has in a considerable period," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Stiff Rivalry Yet, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning two goals against Chelsea, is currently regarded as in front in the hierarchy, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins has the edge in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was noted. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a big competition." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might hinge on whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst added. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League outings this season had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over. However, a only four weeks afterwards, he is the hottest attacker in England following scoring seven goals in 6 consecutive games. His most recent finish, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, establishing him as the top English scorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Resurgence The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its closing stages. Yet, the statistics behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are truly remarkable. His six-game scoring run puts him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League matches. To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his longest remains two individual five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Reason for the Hot Streak? What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager explained it perfectly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart 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 beloved player at his former team. Experts highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus provided the striker some extra space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result." His manager has expressed little astonishment at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the division. International Question Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably fueled discussions of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the previous European Championship. Observers feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this form. "He looks as sharp as he has in a considerable period," one said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Stiff Rivalry Yet, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning two goals against Chelsea, is currently regarded as in front in the hierarchy, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins has the edge in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was noted. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a big competition." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might hinge on whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst added. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."