Watkins Maintains the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin May Yet Make the International Squad

A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League outings this season had numerous questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past.

But, a mere four weeks on, he stands as the hottest attacker in England after bagging seven goals in 6 consecutive games.

His newest finish, in a tie versus Sunderland, took his season's haul to eight, seeing him become the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season.

A Stunning Resurgence

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

However, the statistics behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are truly impressive.

His six-game scoring streak sees him in prestigious company as only 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 lasting this many games - his top stands at two individual five-match streaks.

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

The Secret to the Scoring Form?

What has made Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager described it succinctly.

"He has the ideal timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed."

That instinct and positional sense inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a popular figure at his previous club.

Experts note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, which has given the striker additional space.

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

"I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of lows. A test of mentality and I've persevered and kept going... I've had faith and now I'm reaping the rewards."

His manager has voiced no surprise at this rich vein of form, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition.

The England Dilemma

Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has naturally sparked conversations of an England call-up.

The former Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, with four goals, but has not featured for the Three Lions since the last European Championship.

Observers feel the striker will be in the mix for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this form.

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

Intense Competition

Yet, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive double against Chelsea, is currently considered to be leading in the pecking order, according to some analysis.

"If you contrast the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was noted.

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

Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to take.

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