Watkins Maintains the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin May Yet Secure the World Cup

A solitary goal in his opening ten top-flight outings this campaign had many questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were behind him.

However, a just four weeks on, he stands as the hottest striker in England after scoring seven goals in 6 straight games.

His newest strike, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, elevated his tally to eight, making him the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season.

A Stunning Revival

The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its latter stages.

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

His six-match scoring run sees him in exclusive company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League fixtures.

To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run of this length - his best is two individual five-match streaks.

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

The Reason for the Hot Streak?

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

"He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's clever 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 turned him into a beloved player at his former team.

Analysts point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, helping more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker some extra space.

"He is a traditional centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal."

"I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of mentality and I've persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now."

His manager has expressed complete confidence at this hot streak, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division.

International Dilemma

Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably fueled discussions of an England recall.

The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, scoring four goals, but has not played for the national team 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 sharp as he has in a long time," one remarked. "If he continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place."

Stiff Competition

However, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is intense.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is right now regarded as ahead in the pecking order, according to some assessment.

"If you compare the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was stated.

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

Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to select.

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