Watkins Holds the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin Might Yet Secure the World Cup

Only one goal in his first ten Premier League games this season had numerous wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past.

Yet, a only four weeks afterwards, he has become the most talked-about striker in England after bagging seven goals in six consecutive games.

His newest strike, in a stalemate against Sunderland, took his tally to eight, making him the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign.

An Impressive Revival

The 28-year-old joined 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.

Yet, the data underpinning his comeback in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are extremely notable.

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

To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his best stands at two individual five-match runs.

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

The Reason for the Purple Patch?

What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A latest opponent's manager described it perfectly.

"He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed."

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

Experts highlight the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, enabling more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker some extra space.

"He is a classic centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little flick beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal."

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

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

World Cup Question

Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has inevitably ignited talks of an England return.

The former Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the previous European Championship.

Analysts believe the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this standard.

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

Intense Competition

However, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is intense.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive double against Chelsea, is presently seen as in front in the hierarchy, according to some opinion.

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

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

In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the England manager decides to take.

"I think it might hinge on whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."