🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Edge - However Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Make the International Squad A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League outings this season had many doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over. But, a only four weeks on, he stands as the most discussed forward in England after bagging 7 goals in 6 straight games. His most recent goal, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, establishing him as the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by setbacks in its closing stages. Yet, the data behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are truly remarkable. His six-match scoring streak sees him in prestigious 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 was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his top remains two individual five-match streaks. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Hot Streak? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager explained it perfectly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That natural ability and timing inside the box was what established him as a beloved player at his previous club. Pundits highlight the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker some extra space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of character and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now." His manager has shown little astonishment at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the division. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably fueled discussions of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the previous European Championship. Observers feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a while," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition But, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive two goals against Chelsea, is currently considered to be leading in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major tournament." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst added. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League outings this season had many doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over. But, a only four weeks on, he stands as the most discussed forward in England after bagging 7 goals in 6 straight games. His most recent goal, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, establishing him as the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by setbacks in its closing stages. Yet, the data behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are truly remarkable. His six-match scoring streak sees him in prestigious 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 was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his top remains two individual five-match streaks. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Hot Streak? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager explained it perfectly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That natural ability and timing inside the box was what established him as a beloved player at his previous club. Pundits highlight the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker some extra space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of character and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now." His manager has shown little astonishment at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the division. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably fueled discussions of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the previous European Championship. Observers feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as sharp as he has in a while," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition But, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive two goals against Chelsea, is currently considered to be leading in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major tournament." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst added. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."