Watkins Maintains the Advantage - But Calvert-Lewin Could Still Make the International Squad

A solitary goal in his initial ten top-flight appearances this season had many questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were over.

Yet, a mere four weeks afterwards, he has become the most talked-about forward in England following bagging 7 goals in six straight games.

His most recent finish, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, elevated his season's haul to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League this campaign.

A Remarkable Return to Form

The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its latter stages.

But, the data behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely notable.

His six-game scoring sequence sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League matches.

To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his longest remains two individual five-match streaks.

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

The Secret to the Hot Streak?

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

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

That natural ability and positional sense inside the penalty area was what made him a beloved player at his previous club.

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

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

"I've been through 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 had faith and this is the result."

His manager has voiced complete confidence at this rich vein of form, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition.

International Dilemma

Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has predictably fueled talks of an England recall.

The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, with four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the most recent European Championship.

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

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

Fierce Competition

Yet, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive brace against Chelsea, is presently considered to be leading in the selection race, according to some analysis.

"If you look at the two players, Watkins has the advantage in terms of using his pace to get behind teams," it was said.

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

In the end, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many natural strikers the head coach decides to take.

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