Watkins Maintains the Advantage - But Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Secure the International Squad

A solitary goal in his initial ten top-flight appearances this season had numerous doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past.

However, a mere four weeks on, he has become the most talked-about forward in England after scoring seven goals in six straight games.

His newest goal, in a tie versus Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, establishing him as the top English scorer in the Premier League this campaign.

A Stunning Return to Form

The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by setbacks in its latter stages.

However, the data behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely impressive.

His six-game scoring streak places him in prestigious 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 this long - his best remains two individual five-match runs.

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

The Secret to the Scoring Form?

Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A recent opponent's manager explained it perfectly.

"He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time."

That instinct and timing inside the box was what turned him into a fan favourite at his former team.

Experts note the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a key factor, allowing more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus provided the striker some extra space.

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

"I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of resolve and I've persisted and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now."

His manager has voiced little astonishment at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition.

International Conversation

Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably fueled conversations of an England recall.

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

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

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

Stiff Competition

But, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is intense.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is presently considered to be leading in the hierarchy, according to some analysis.

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

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

Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the national team coach decides to include.

"I think it might come down to whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an analyst summarized. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."