Watkins Possesses the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin Might Still Secure the World Cup

A solitary goal in his opening ten top-flight appearances this campaign had plenty of questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over.

Yet, a mere four weeks afterwards, he is the most discussed attacker in England after netting 7 goals in 6 straight games.

His latest goal, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, took his tally to eight, establishing him as the highest English scorer in the Premier League this term.

A Stunning Return to Form

The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its closing stages.

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

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 put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run this long - his top is two separate 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 Reason for the Purple Patch?

What is behind Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager described it perfectly.

"He has the perfect timing," the manager stated. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time."

That nose for goal and positional sense inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a beloved player at his former team.

Experts point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, enabling more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus provided the striker a little more space.

"He is a classic centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little flick 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 persisted and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now."

His manager has shown little astonishment at this hot streak, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition.

World Cup Question

Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably sparked conversations of an England return.

The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, netting four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the last European Championship.

Pundits believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this form.

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

Intense Competition

Yet, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is intense.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is currently considered to be ahead in the hierarchy, according to some assessment.

"If you contrast the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was stated.

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

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

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