Watkins Holds the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin Might Yet Make the World Cup

Only one goal in his first ten top-flight outings this season had many wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were behind him.

However, a mere four weeks afterwards, he has become the most discussed striker in England after netting seven goals in six consecutive games.

His most recent finish, in a stalemate against Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this term.

An Impressive Revival

The 28-year-old joined Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by injuries in its final stages.

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

His six-game scoring sequence places him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League outings.

To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his top stands at two separate five-match runs.

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

What's Behind the Scoring Form?

Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager described it perfectly.

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

That natural ability and positional sense inside the penalty area was what turned him into a beloved player at his former team.

Pundits highlight the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, allowing more players to get into the box and occupy defenders, thereby created the striker a little more space.

"He is a traditional centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a classic centre-forward's goal."

"I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of character and I've hung in there and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now."

His manager has shown no surprise at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league.

World Cup Question

Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has predictably ignited talks of an England call-up.

The former Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not featured for the country since the last European Championship.

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

"He looks as fit as he has in a long time," one said. "If he continues 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 supporting Harry Kane is fierce.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive double versus Chelsea, is currently 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 speed to test teams," it was stated.

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

In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to include.

"I think it might hinge on whether he selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."