Watkins Holds the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin Might Still Make the International Squad

A solitary goal in his opening ten English top division outings this campaign had numerous doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over.

But, a just four weeks afterwards, he stands as the most talked-about striker in England following bagging 7 goals in six consecutive games.

His most recent goal, in a tie against Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the leading 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, after a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its latter stages.

However, the numbers supporting his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are truly notable.

His six-game scoring streak places him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings.

To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run lasting this many games - his best stands at two individual five-match runs.

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

The Secret to the Hot Streak?

Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in recent weeks? A latest opponent's manager summed it up aptly.

"He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed."

That instinct and timing inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a beloved player at his former team.

Analysts point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, which has given the striker some extra space.

"He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little finish 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 challenge of character and I've persisted and kept going... I've believed in myself and this is the result."

His manager has expressed little astonishment at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league.

International Question

Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has inevitably ignited talks of an England call-up.

The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, netting four goals, but has not represented the country since the last European Championship.

Pundits think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this standard.

"He looks as in shape as he has in a considerable period," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place."

Intense Competition

But, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning two goals versus Chelsea, is right now regarded as leading in the pecking order, according to some assessment.

"If you contrast the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was said.

"He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major finals."

Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the head coach decides to include.

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