đŸ”— Share this article Watkins Maintains the Edge - However Calvert-Lewin May Still Make the International Squad A solitary goal in his opening ten English top division games this campaign had numerous questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were over. But, a just four weeks later, he has become the most discussed striker in England following scoring seven goals in 6 consecutive games. His latest strike, in a tie against Sunderland, elevated his season's haul to eight, making him the highest English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Remarkable Return to Form The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its final stages. However, the data underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are genuinely notable. His six-match scoring streak places him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League fixtures. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run lasting this many games - his top is two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A previous opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what made him a beloved player at his former team. Pundits note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker some extra space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A test of resolve and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now." His manager has shown no surprise at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably sparked conversations of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not played for the Three Lions since the previous European Championship. Observers feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this form. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one commented. "If he continues 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 incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive brace versus Chelsea, is presently regarded as ahead in the hierarchy, according to some opinion. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also holds the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad could hinge on how many specialist strikers the England manager decides to include. "I think it might depend on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
A solitary goal in his opening ten English top division games this campaign had numerous questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were over. But, a just four weeks later, he has become the most discussed striker in England following scoring seven goals in 6 consecutive games. His latest strike, in a tie against Sunderland, elevated his season's haul to eight, making him the highest English scorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Remarkable Return to Form The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its final stages. However, the data underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are genuinely notable. His six-match scoring streak places him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League fixtures. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run lasting this many games - his top is two distinct five-match streaks. And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019. The Secret to the Scoring Form? What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A previous opponent's manager explained it aptly. "He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time." That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what made him a beloved player at his former team. Pundits note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker some extra space. "He is a archetypal centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal." "I've been through a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A test of resolve and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now." His manager has shown no surprise at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league. The England Question Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably sparked conversations of an England return. The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not played for the Three Lions since the previous European Championship. Observers feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this form. "He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one commented. "If he continues 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 incredibly tough. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive brace versus Chelsea, is presently regarded as ahead in the hierarchy, according to some opinion. "If you contrast the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was stated. "He also holds the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad could hinge on how many specialist strikers the England manager decides to include. "I think it might depend on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."