Watkins Holds the Edge - However Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Make the World Cup

Just one goal in his first ten Premier League outings this season had many questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over.

However, a just four weeks on, he is the most discussed striker in England following bagging 7 goals in six straight games.

His latest goal, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, establishing him as the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League this term.

A Remarkable Revival

The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its closing stages.

However, the statistics behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely notable.

His six-match scoring sequence sees him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive 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 separate five-match runs.

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

The Reason for the Scoring Form?

What has made Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager explained it perfectly.

"He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment."

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

Experts point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, helping a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, which has provided the striker a little more space.

"He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal."

"I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of resolve and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and this is the result."

His manager has voiced little astonishment at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition.

International Conversation

Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably fueled conversations of an England recall.

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

Analysts believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard.

"He looks as sharp as he has in a long time," one said. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place."

Intense Competition

Yet, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is incredibly tough.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is right now regarded as leading in the selection race, according to some opinion.

"If you contrast the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was stated.

"He also has the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a big competition."

Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to take.

"I think it might depend on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an expert summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."