Watkins Possesses the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin May Still Make the International Squad

A solitary goal in his opening ten Premier League outings this season had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over.

But, a only four weeks afterwards, he has become the most discussed forward in England after bagging 7 goals in six consecutive games.

His newest goal, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, elevated his tally to eight, seeing him become the top English scorer in the Premier League so far this season.

A Remarkable Return to Form

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

But, the data underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely notable.

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

To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run this long - his top stands at two individual five-match streaks.

And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era 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 hard to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager summed it up succinctly.

"He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed."

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

Analysts highlight the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker some extra space.

"He is a classic 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 hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and now I'm reaping the rewards."

His manager has shown little astonishment at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition.

World Cup Dilemma

Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably fueled conversations of an England call-up.

The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the last European Championship.

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

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

Intense Rivalry

But, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is intense.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning double against Chelsea, is presently seen as leading in the pecking order, according to some opinion.

"If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was stated.

"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 could hinge on how many specialist strikers the national team coach decides to include.

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