Watkins Possesses the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin May Yet Make the World Cup

A solitary goal in his first ten English top division appearances this season had numerous wondering whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over.

However, a just four weeks later, he is the hottest forward in England after scoring seven goals in 6 consecutive games.

His newest goal, in a tie versus Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign.

A Remarkable Revival

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 closing stages.

Yet, the data behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely remarkable.

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

To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run lasting this many games - his longest is two distinct five-match streaks.

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

The Secret to the Scoring Form?

Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager explained it succinctly.

"He has the impeccable 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 box was what turned him into a popular figure at his previous club.

Analysts point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus given the striker a little more space.

"He is a traditional 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 lows. A challenge of resolve and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result."

His manager has shown little astonishment at this purple patch, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition.

International Dilemma

Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has inevitably sparked conversations of an England recall.

The former Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, with four goals, but has not played for the Three Lions since the last European Championship.

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

"He looks as fit 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."

Stiff Competition

Yet, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is intense.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive brace versus Chelsea, is presently regarded as leading in the selection race, according to some opinion.

"If you look at the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his pace to stretch teams," it was stated.

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

Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the head coach decides to select.

"I think it might come down to whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."