Watkins Maintains the Advantage - But Calvert-Lewin May Yet Make the World Cup

A solitary goal in his opening ten English top division games this campaign had many doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over.

Yet, a only four weeks afterwards, he has become the hottest attacker in England following bagging 7 goals in 6 back-to-back games.

His latest goal, in a tie against Sunderland, took his tally to eight, making him the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season.

An Impressive Revival

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

However, the numbers supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are extremely remarkable.

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

To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run lasting this many games - his top stands at two individual five-match runs.

And the sole English striker to surpass Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who embarked on an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019.

The Secret to the Hot Streak?

What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A recent opponent's manager summed it up perfectly.

"He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent 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 popular figure at his previous club.

Pundits note the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, allowing a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker some extra space.

"He is a traditional 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 endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of resolve and I've persevered and kept going... I've had faith and now I'm reaping the rewards."

His manager has shown complete confidence at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition.

The England Dilemma

Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably sparked talks of an England recall.

The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not played for the country since the most recent European Championship.

Pundits believe the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard.

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

Stiff Rivalry

However, the battle for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a decisive brace versus Chelsea, is currently regarded as leading in the pecking order, according to some analysis.

"If you look at the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was stated.

"He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major tournament."

Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to include.

"I think it might depend on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."