Watkins Maintains the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin May Yet Make the World Cup

Only one goal in his opening ten English top division games this campaign had numerous doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were over.

Yet, a just four weeks later, he has become the most talked-about striker in England after scoring 7 goals in six back-to-back games.

His latest goal, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, took his total to eight, making him the highest English scorer in the Premier League this campaign.

A Remarkable Resurgence

The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by injuries in its final stages.

However, the data underpinning his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are truly remarkable.

His six-game scoring run places him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League outings.

To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his top remains two separate five-match streaks.

And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019.

The Reason for the Hot Streak?

Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager summed it up aptly.

"He has the ideal timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed."

That instinct and positional sense inside the penalty area was what made him a popular figure at his former team.

Analysts point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, helping a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus given the striker additional space.

"He is a traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little finish beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal."

"I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result."

His manager has shown complete confidence at this purple patch, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the league.

World Cup Question

Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has naturally fueled discussions of an England call-up.

The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, with four goals, but has not played for the Three Lions since the most recent European Championship.

Observers think the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this form.

"He looks as fit as he has in a long time," one remarked. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place."

Stiff Competition

Yet, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is presently regarded as leading in the pecking order, according to some opinion.

"If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was stated.

"He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a big competition."

Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad could hinge on how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to take.

"I think it might come down to whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."