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

A solitary goal in his initial ten English top division games this campaign had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over.

But, a mere four weeks later, he is the most talked-about striker in England following scoring seven goals in 6 consecutive games.

His most recent finish, in a tie against Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, establishing him as the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term.

A Stunning Revival

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

Yet, the data underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are truly remarkable.

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

To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his top is two distinct five-match runs.

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 this period? A latest opponent's manager explained it perfectly.

"He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time."

That instinct and positional sense inside the box was what established him as a fan favourite at his former team.

Experts 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 some extra space.

"He is a traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little finish beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal."

"I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now."

His manager has shown no surprise at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition.

International Conversation

Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably ignited discussions of an England call-up.

The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the national team since the previous European Championship.

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

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

Stiff Competition

Yet, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is intense.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive brace versus Chelsea, is right now considered to be leading in the selection race, according to some analysis.

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

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

Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad could hinge on how many specialist strikers the head coach decides to take.

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