Watkins Holds the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Make the World Cup

Only one goal in his initial ten English top division games this season had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past.

Yet, a just four weeks later, he is the most discussed attacker in England following scoring seven goals in 6 straight games.

His latest finish, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season.

A Remarkable Revival

The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by setbacks in its closing stages.

Yet, the data behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely impressive.

His six-match scoring sequence places him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings.

To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run lasting this many games - his longest stands at two separate five-match streaks.

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

The Reason for the Purple Patch?

Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A recent opponent's manager described it succinctly.

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

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

Pundits point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, enabling more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker a little more space.

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

"I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A challenge of resolve and I've hung in there and kept going... I've backed myself and now I'm reaping the rewards."

His manager has shown complete confidence at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition.

World Cup Question

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

The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, netting four goals, but has not played for the country since the last European Championship.

Observers 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 remarked. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place."

Stiff Rivalry

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

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is currently seen as leading in the hierarchy, according to some opinion.

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

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

In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the head coach decides to include.

"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."