Watkins Holds the Edge - But Calvert-Lewin Could Still Make the World Cup

A solitary goal in his opening ten English top division games this season had many questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past.

However, a mere four weeks later, he has become the hottest forward in England after scoring seven goals in six back-to-back games.

His most recent goal, in a stalemate against Sunderland, took his total to eight, seeing him become the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season.

A Remarkable Revival

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

But, the numbers underpinning his comeback in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely notable.

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

To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his longest stands at two individual five-match streaks.

And the only English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019.

The Secret to the Hot Streak?

What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in recent weeks? A recent opponent's manager described it aptly.

"He has the impeccable timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time."

That instinct and timing inside the penalty area was what turned him into a fan favourite at his previous club.

Analysts point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus given the striker additional space.

"He is a archetypal centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal."

"I've been through a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of resolve and I've persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and this is the result."

His manager has expressed complete confidence at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition.

The England Dilemma

Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has predictably fueled conversations of an England recall.

The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the most recent European Championship.

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

"He looks as sharp as he has in a while," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place."

Stiff Competition

However, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is intense.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning two goals against Chelsea, is currently regarded as in front in the hierarchy, according to some opinion.

"If you compare the two players, Watkins has the edge in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was noted.

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

Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the national team coach decides to select.

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