🔗 Share this article Watkins Possesses the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Secure the International Squad A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League games this season had many questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were behind him. However, a only four weeks later, he is the most discussed forward in England after bagging seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His most recent goal, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, making him the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Resurgence The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its final stages. However, the data supporting his comeback in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are extremely notable. His six-match scoring sequence sees him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his longest remains two separate five-match runs. And the sole English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Hot Streak? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That nose for goal and timing inside the penalty area was what made him a popular figure at his former team. Experts highlight the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, which has provided the striker additional space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of resolve and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has voiced little astonishment at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the league. World Cup Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has naturally fueled talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not represented 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 standard. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one commented. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition Yet, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive brace versus Chelsea, is right now regarded as leading in the hierarchy, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League games this season had many questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were behind him. However, a only four weeks later, he is the most discussed forward in England after bagging seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His most recent goal, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, making him the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Resurgence The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its final stages. However, the data supporting his comeback in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are extremely notable. His six-match scoring sequence sees him in elite company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his longest remains two separate five-match runs. And the sole English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Hot Streak? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That nose for goal and timing inside the penalty area was what made him a popular figure at his former team. Experts highlight the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, which has provided the striker additional space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of resolve and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now." His manager has voiced little astonishment at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the league. World Cup Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's return to form has naturally fueled talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not represented 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 standard. "He looks as in shape as he has in a while," one commented. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition Yet, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive brace versus Chelsea, is right now regarded as leading in the hierarchy, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major finals." In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to select. "I think it might come down to whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."