Watkins Maintains the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin Might Yet Secure the World Cup

A solitary goal in his opening ten English top division outings this season had many questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past.

Yet, a only four weeks on, he is the most talked-about striker in England following netting seven goals in six straight games.

His latest goal, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, elevated his tally to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League this campaign.

An Impressive Return to Form

The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its final stages.

Yet, the data behind his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are truly impressive.

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

To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his best is two individual five-match runs.

And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in the modern era 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 recent weeks? A latest opponent's manager explained it aptly.

"He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment."

That instinct and positional sense inside the box was what turned him into a beloved player at his previous club.

Pundits note the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, which has created the striker a little more space.

"He is a archetypal 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 ups and lots of downs. A test of character and I've persisted and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now."

His manager has shown complete confidence at this purple patch, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league.

International Question

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

The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, with four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the last European Championship.

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

"He looks as fit 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."

Fierce Rivalry

But, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is intense.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is currently considered to be ahead in the pecking order, according to some assessment.

"If you contrast the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was said.

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

Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to select.

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