🔗 Share this article Watkins Holds the Edge - But Calvert-Lewin Might Yet Secure the International Squad Only one goal in his opening ten top-flight outings this season had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were behind him. But, a mere four weeks on, he stands as the most discussed forward in England following bagging 7 goals in 6 consecutive games. His newest goal, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, making him the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Resurgence The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its closing stages. However, the numbers behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are truly impressive. His six-match scoring sequence places him in exclusive company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his best is two individual five-match runs. And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager said. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That natural ability and timing inside the box was what established him as a beloved player at his previous club. Pundits highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus created 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 been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of mentality and I've persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has expressed little astonishment at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably sparked talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the most recent European Championship. Pundits believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as fit as he has in a long time," one remarked. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Rivalry However, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is currently regarded as in front in the pecking order, according to some assessment. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was said. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a major tournament." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to 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 he takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
Only one goal in his opening ten top-flight outings this season had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were behind him. But, a mere four weeks on, he stands as the most discussed forward in England following bagging 7 goals in 6 consecutive games. His newest goal, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, making him the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this term. A Remarkable Resurgence The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its closing stages. However, the numbers behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are truly impressive. His six-match scoring sequence places him in exclusive company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings. To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his best is two individual five-match runs. And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Purple Patch? Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the ideal timing," the manager said. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed." That natural ability and timing inside the box was what established him as a beloved player at his previous club. Pundits highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus created 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 been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of mentality and I've persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and now I'm reaping the rewards." His manager has expressed little astonishment at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably sparked talks of an England call-up. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the most recent European Championship. Pundits believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level. "He looks as fit as he has in a long time," one remarked. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Rivalry However, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is currently regarded as in front in the pecking order, according to some assessment. "If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was said. "He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a significant impact at a major tournament." Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to 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 he takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."