Watkins Maintains the Advantage - But Calvert-Lewin Might Still Secure the World Cup

A solitary goal in his first ten top-flight appearances this season had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past.

But, a mere four weeks on, he is the most talked-about striker in England following scoring 7 goals in six consecutive games.

His newest finish, in a tie versus Sunderland, brought his tally to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League this term.

An Impressive Resurgence

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

Yet, the numbers underpinning his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely notable.

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

To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his top is two distinct five-match runs.

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

The Reason for the Hot Streak?

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

"He has the ideal timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment."

That natural ability and positional sense inside the penalty area was what established him as a popular figure at his previous club.

Pundits point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker additional space.

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

"I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A challenge of character and I've hung in there and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now."

His manager has shown no surprise at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition.

The England Question

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

The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not played for the national team since the previous European Championship.

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

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

Intense Competition

But, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is fierce.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is presently seen as in front in the pecking order, according to some assessment.

"If you compare 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 decisive impact at a major finals."

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

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