Watkins Maintains the Advantage - But Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Make the World Cup

A solitary goal in his first ten top-flight appearances this season had many questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past.

However, a mere four weeks afterwards, he has become the most discussed attacker in England following netting seven goals in 6 consecutive games.

His latest finish, in a stalemate against Sunderland, elevated his tally to eight, seeing him become the highest English scorer in the Premier League this term.

A Remarkable Resurgence

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

Yet, the data behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely notable.

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

To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his longest is two individual five-match streaks.

And the only English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in the modern era 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 recent opponent's manager described it perfectly.

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

That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what established him as a popular figure at his previous club.

Experts point to the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, allowing a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker some extra space.

"He is a traditional centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal."

"I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of mentality and I've persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and this is the result."

His manager has expressed little astonishment at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition.

International Question

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

The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not featured for the country since the last European Championship.

Pundits believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this level.

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

Intense Competition

Yet, competition for places behind Harry Kane is fierce.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is presently seen as in front in the pecking order, according to some assessment.

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

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

In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the head coach decides to select.

"I think it might hinge on whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."