Watkins Maintains the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin Might Still Secure the International Squad

Just one goal in his opening ten top-flight games this season had numerous doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over.

Yet, a just four weeks later, he is the most talked-about striker in England following netting 7 goals in six consecutive games.

His most recent strike, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, elevated his tally to eight, establishing him as the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign.

A Stunning Revival

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

However, the numbers supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are extremely remarkable.

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

To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his longest stands at two individual five-match runs.

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

The Reason for the Purple Patch?

Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager explained it succinctly.

"He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's clever and a really good 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 popular figure at his former team.

Pundits highlight the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, helping more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker some extra space.

"He is a archetypal centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little finish beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal."

"I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. 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 expressed complete confidence at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division.

The England Dilemma

Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has naturally fueled discussions of an England recall.

The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, with four goals, but has not played for the country since the previous European Championship.

Analysts think the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can maintain this standard.

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

Intense Rivalry

However, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is intense.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is currently seen as in front in the selection race, according to some analysis.

"If you contrast the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was stated.

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

Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to take.

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