Watkins Possesses the Edge - However Calvert-Lewin May Still Make the World Cup

A solitary goal in his opening ten English top division games this season had numerous doubting if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over.

However, a mere four weeks on, he is the hottest striker in England following bagging 7 goals in 6 consecutive games.

His latest goal, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, took his total to eight, seeing him become the top English scorer 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 blighted by setbacks in its final stages.

However, the data underpinning his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are truly impressive.

His six-match scoring sequence sees him in elite 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 this long - his longest remains two separate five-match runs.

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

What's Behind the Purple Patch?

What is behind Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in recent weeks? A latest opponent's manager summed it up succinctly.

"He has the perfect timing," the manager said. "He's clever and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time."

That instinct and timing inside the penalty area was what turned him into a beloved player at his previous club.

Pundits note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, allowing more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus given the striker additional space.

"He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite 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 challenge of mentality and I've persisted and kept going... I've backed myself and now I'm reaping the rewards."

His manager has expressed no surprise at this purple patch, emphasizing that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league.

International Conversation

Calvert-Lewin's return to form has naturally ignited discussions of an England call-up.

The former Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, with four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the previous European Championship.

Observers believe the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level.

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

Stiff Competition

However, competition for places as backup to Harry Kane is fierce.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning double against Chelsea, is presently regarded as leading in the hierarchy, according to some analysis.

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

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

Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad could hinge on how many out-and-out strikers the head coach decides to select.

"I think it might depend on whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an pundit added. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."