Watkins Maintains the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin Might Still Make the World Cup

A solitary goal in his first ten English top division outings this campaign had numerous questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past.

However, a mere four weeks on, he is the hottest attacker in England following netting seven goals in 6 consecutive games.

His latest strike, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, took his tally to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League this campaign.

A Stunning Return to Form

The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by injuries in its closing stages.

However, the data underpinning his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are truly notable.

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

To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his longest remains two distinct five-match streaks.

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

What's Behind the Purple Patch?

Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager summed it up perfectly.

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

That nose for goal and timing inside the penalty area was what turned him into a fan favourite at his former team.

Pundits highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker some extra space.

"He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented 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 highs and lots of lows. A challenge of resolve and I've persevered and kept going... I've had faith and this is the result."

His manager has voiced little astonishment at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division.

International Conversation

Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has predictably ignited conversations of an England recall.

The former Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, netting four goals, but has not represented 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 form.

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

Intense Rivalry

Yet, 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 regarded as in front in the pecking order, according to some assessment.

"If you contrast the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was noted.

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

Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad could hinge on how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to take.

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