Watkins Possesses the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Make the World Cup

A solitary goal in his first ten top-flight outings this season had plenty of questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were behind him.

However, a just four weeks on, he has become the hottest attacker in England after netting seven goals in six straight games.

His most recent strike, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, took his total to eight, seeing him become the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League this term.

A Stunning Revival

The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by injuries in its final stages.

However, the data supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are genuinely remarkable.

His six-game scoring sequence puts him in elite company as just 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 of this length - his best remains two distinct 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 streak for Leicester City in 2019.

What's Behind the Hot Streak?

What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager described it aptly.

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

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

Analysts point to the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, enabling more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker additional space.

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

"I've been through a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A challenge of resolve and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now."

His manager has expressed complete confidence at this purple patch, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition.

World Cup Conversation

Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has predictably sparked talks of an England return.

The former Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, with four goals, but has not featured for the country since the most recent European Championship.

Analysts think the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this standard.

"He looks as in shape as he has in a long time," 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, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is currently seen as ahead in the hierarchy, according to some opinion.

"If you contrast the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was said.

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

Ultimately, 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 come down to whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."