🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin Might Yet Secure the International Squad Only one goal in his initial ten English top division outings this season had many doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past. However, a just four weeks on, he has become the hottest forward in England following bagging seven goals in six consecutive games. His newest goal, in a tie against Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its final stages. However, the statistics underpinning his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are extremely notable. His six-match scoring sequence sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his top remains two separate five-match streaks. And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in recent weeks? A recent opponent's manager described it perfectly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's clever and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That natural ability and timing inside the penalty area was what turned him into a popular figure at his previous club. Analysts point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker a little more space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of character and I've persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and this is the result." His manager has shown little astonishment at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the division. International Question Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has predictably sparked conversations of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not played for the national team since the most recent European Championship. Pundits believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "He looks as fit as he has in a long time," one remarked. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Intense Competition However, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is currently considered to be leading in the pecking order, according to some assessment. "If you look at the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was noted. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a big competition." 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 take. "I think it might depend on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
Only one goal in his initial ten English top division outings this season had many doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past. However, a just four weeks on, he has become the hottest forward in England following bagging seven goals in six consecutive games. His newest goal, in a tie against Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign. An Impressive Resurgence The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its final stages. However, the statistics underpinning his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are extremely notable. His six-match scoring sequence sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his top remains two separate five-match streaks. And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in recent weeks? A recent opponent's manager described it perfectly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's clever and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That natural ability and timing inside the penalty area was what turned him into a popular figure at his previous club. Analysts point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker a little more space. "He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of character and I've persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and this is the result." His manager has shown little astonishment at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the division. International Question Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has predictably sparked conversations of an England call-up. The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not played for the national team since the most recent European Championship. Pundits believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level. "He looks as fit as he has in a long time," one remarked. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Intense Competition However, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is currently considered to be leading in the pecking order, according to some assessment. "If you look at the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was noted. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a big competition." 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 take. "I think it might depend on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."