Watkins Holds the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin May Yet Make the World Cup

A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League outings this campaign had many wondering whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were behind him.

Yet, a mere four weeks later, he stands as the most discussed forward in England following bagging seven goals in 6 straight games.

His newest strike, in a tie versus Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season.

An Impressive Resurgence

The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its closing stages.

But, the statistics supporting his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely notable.

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

To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his top is two separate five-match streaks.

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

The Reason for the Scoring Form?

What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager summed it up aptly.

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

That natural ability and timing inside the penalty area was what established him as a fan favourite at his previous club.

Experts highlight the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, which has created the striker a little more space.

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

His manager has expressed little astonishment at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the division.

International Conversation

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

The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, netting four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the last European Championship.

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

"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 discussion for a World Cup place."

Stiff Rivalry

Yet, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is intense.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning two goals against Chelsea, is presently regarded as leading in the hierarchy, according to some analysis.

"If you look at the two players, Watkins has 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 tournament."

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

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