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

Just one goal in his opening ten Premier League outings this season had numerous questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were behind him.

However, a only four weeks afterwards, he is the most discussed forward in England following bagging seven goals in 6 consecutive games.

His newest strike, in a stalemate against Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season.

A Remarkable Return to Form

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

Yet, the numbers underpinning his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are extremely remarkable.

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

To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run of this length - his longest is two distinct five-match runs.

And the sole English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019.

The Secret to the Scoring Form?

What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A latest opponent's manager described it aptly.

"He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "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 penalty area was what turned him into a fan favourite at his previous club.

Pundits note the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing a greater number of players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thereby provided the striker additional space.

"He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little flick beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal."

"I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A test of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and now I'm reaping the rewards."

His manager has voiced no surprise at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league.

The England Conversation

Calvert-Lewin's return to form has inevitably fueled conversations of an England return.

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

Analysts think the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this level.

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

Fierce Competition

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

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is right now considered to be leading in the pecking order, according to some opinion.

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

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

In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad could hinge on how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to take.

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