Watkins Maintains the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin Might Still Secure the International Squad
Just one goal in his opening ten top-flight appearances this season had many questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were behind him.
But, a mere four weeks afterwards, he is the most discussed attacker in England following bagging 7 goals in six consecutive games.
His latest goal, in a tie versus Sunderland, elevated his season's haul 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 Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by setbacks in its latter stages.
Yet, the statistics underpinning his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are extremely impressive.
His six-game scoring sequence places him in exclusive company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League outings.
To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run of this length - his top is two individual five-match streaks.
And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019.
The Reason for the Purple Patch?
Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager described it aptly.
"He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's clever and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment."
That nose for goal and positional sense inside the box was what made him a popular figure at his previous club.
Pundits point to the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, helping more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker a little more space.
"He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little finish beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal."
"I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A challenge of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now."
His manager has shown no surprise at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition.
International Question
Calvert-Lewin's return to form has predictably sparked conversations of an England call-up.
The former Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, netting four goals, but has not featured for the country since the most recent European Championship.
Pundits think the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this standard.
"He looks as sharp 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, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is fierce.
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is right now considered to be leading in the pecking order, according to some assessment.
"If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his speed to stretch 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 makes it to the squad could hinge on how many natural strikers the head coach decides to take.
"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."
