đź”— Share this article Watkins Maintains the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin May Yet Make the International Squad Just one goal in his first ten English top division outings this campaign had plenty of questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past. Yet, a just four weeks on, he is the hottest forward in England after bagging seven goals in six straight games. His newest finish, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, establishing him as the top English scorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its latter stages. Yet, the statistics behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are extremely impressive. His six-match scoring run sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his top stands at two individual five-match runs. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That nose for goal and timing inside the box was what turned him into a fan favourite at his previous club. Experts highlight the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, allowing more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker additional space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little flick beyond the keeper, a classic 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 backed myself and here I am now." His manager has shown little astonishment at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. World Cup Conversation Calvert-Lewin's return to form has naturally fueled discussions of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the most recent European Championship. Pundits believe the striker will be in the mix 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 said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition Yet, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is currently seen as ahead in the hierarchy, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was stated. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the head coach decides to select. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert summarized. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
Just one goal in his first ten English top division outings this campaign had plenty of questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past. Yet, a just four weeks on, he is the hottest forward in England after bagging seven goals in six straight games. His newest finish, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, establishing him as the top English scorer in the Premier League this term. An Impressive Return to Form The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its latter stages. Yet, the statistics behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are extremely impressive. His six-match scoring run sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his top stands at two individual five-match runs. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That nose for goal and timing inside the box was what turned him into a fan favourite at his previous club. Experts highlight the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, allowing more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker additional space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little flick beyond the keeper, a classic 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 backed myself and here I am now." His manager has shown little astonishment at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the league. World Cup Conversation Calvert-Lewin's return to form has naturally fueled discussions of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the most recent European Championship. Pundits believe the striker will be in the mix 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 said. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition Yet, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is currently seen as ahead in the hierarchy, according to some analysis. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was stated. "He also has the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the head coach decides to select. "I think it might hinge on whether the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert summarized. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."