🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Advantage - But Calvert-Lewin Might Yet Make the International Squad Only one goal in his first ten top-flight outings this campaign had numerous doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. Yet, a mere four weeks afterwards, he stands as the hottest forward in England following scoring seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His latest finish, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by injuries in its latter stages. Yet, the numbers supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely impressive. His six-game scoring sequence places him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his best remains two separate five-match runs. And the sole English striker to outdo 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? Why has Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That instinct and positional sense inside the box was what made him a fan favourite at his former team. Pundits highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker some extra space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little touch beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of character and I've persevered and kept going... I've had faith and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has expressed little astonishment at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league. International Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably ignited talks of an England return. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, netting four goals, but has not featured for the country since the last European Championship. Pundits believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this form. "He looks as in shape as he has in a long time," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition However, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning two goals versus Chelsea, is currently seen as in front in the hierarchy, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a major finals." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad could hinge on 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 concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
Only one goal in his first ten top-flight outings this campaign had numerous doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. Yet, a mere four weeks afterwards, he stands as the hottest forward in England following scoring seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His latest finish, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by injuries in its latter stages. Yet, the numbers supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely impressive. His six-game scoring sequence places him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his best remains two separate five-match runs. And the sole English striker to outdo 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? Why has Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager explained it succinctly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That instinct and positional sense inside the box was what made him a fan favourite at his former team. Pundits highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker some extra space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little touch beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of character and I've persevered and kept going... I've had faith and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has expressed little astonishment at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league. International Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably ignited talks of an England return. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, netting four goals, but has not featured for the country since the last European Championship. Pundits believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this form. "He looks as in shape as he has in a long time," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place." Stiff Competition However, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is fierce. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning two goals versus Chelsea, is currently seen as in front in the hierarchy, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a major finals." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad could hinge on 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 concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."