🔗 Share this article Watkins Maintains the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin May Still Make the World Cup Just one goal in his first ten top-flight outings this campaign had many questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. However, a only four weeks later, he stands as the hottest striker in England following netting seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His newest strike, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, elevated his tally to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Stunning Revival The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its final stages. However, the statistics behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are truly impressive. His six-match scoring streak places him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his longest is two distinct five-match streaks. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Hot Streak? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager described it aptly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That nose for goal and timing inside the 18-yard box was what made him a popular figure at his former team. Analysts note the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus given the striker a little more space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little flick beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of resolve and I've persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now." His manager has voiced complete confidence at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably ignited conversations of an England return. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not featured for the country since the most recent European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this form. "He looks as sharp as he has in a considerable period," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition Yet, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is currently considered to be leading in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was said. "He also has the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to select. "I think it might hinge on whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."
Just one goal in his first ten top-flight outings this campaign had many questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past. However, a only four weeks later, he stands as the hottest striker in England following netting seven goals in 6 back-to-back games. His newest strike, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, elevated his tally to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season. A Stunning Revival The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its final stages. However, the statistics behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are truly impressive. His six-match scoring streak places him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League matches. To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his longest is two distinct five-match streaks. And the only English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019. What's Behind the Hot Streak? What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager described it aptly. "He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment." That nose for goal and timing inside the 18-yard box was what made him a popular figure at his former team. Analysts note the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus given the striker a little more space. "He is a traditional centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little flick beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal." "I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of resolve and I've persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now." His manager has voiced complete confidence at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition. The England Conversation Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably ignited conversations of an England return. The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not featured for the country since the most recent European Championship. Analysts feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this form. "He looks as sharp as he has in a considerable period," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place." Fierce Competition Yet, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is intense. Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is currently considered to be leading in the selection race, according to some opinion. "If you look at the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was said. "He also has the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major finals." Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to select. "I think it might hinge on whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."