🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Edge - However Calvert-Lewin May Yet Secure the International Squad A solitary goal in his opening ten Premier League outings this season had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. However, a only four weeks later, he is the hottest attacker in England after netting 7 goals in six straight games. His latest finish, in a tie versus Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, making him the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its closing stages. But, the statistics supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely remarkable. His six-match scoring sequence puts him in prestigious company as only 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 lasting this many games - his longest stands at two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That natural ability and positional sense inside the 18-yard box was what established him as a fan favourite at his previous club. Pundits highlight the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker additional space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little flick beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of character and I've hung in there and kept going... I've backed myself and this is the result." His manager has expressed no surprise at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has inevitably fueled talks of an England return. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, with four goals, but has not played for the national team since the most recent European Championship. Analysts think the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this form. "He looks as sharp as he has in a while," one remarked. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry But, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is presently regarded as leading in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a major tournament." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."
A solitary goal in his opening ten Premier League outings this season had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. However, a only four weeks later, he is the hottest attacker in England after netting 7 goals in six straight games. His latest finish, in a tie versus Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, making him the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign. An Impressive Revival The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its closing stages. But, the statistics supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely remarkable. His six-match scoring sequence puts him in prestigious company as only 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 lasting this many games - his longest stands at two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Scoring Form? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That natural ability and positional sense inside the 18-yard box was what established him as a fan favourite at his previous club. Pundits highlight the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker additional space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little flick beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal." "I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of character and I've hung in there and kept going... I've backed myself and this is the result." His manager has expressed no surprise at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division. International Dilemma Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has inevitably fueled talks of an England return. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, with four goals, but has not played for the national team since the most recent European Championship. Analysts think the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this form. "He looks as sharp as he has in a while," one remarked. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place." Intense Rivalry But, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is presently regarded as leading in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was noted. "He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a major tournament." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to include. "I think it might come down to whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."