Watkins Maintains the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin Could Yet Make the World Cup

Just one goal in his opening ten top-flight appearances this campaign had many questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were over.

Yet, a mere four weeks afterwards, he is the most talked-about striker in England following netting seven goals in six back-to-back games.

His latest strike, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, brought his season's haul to eight, making him the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign.

An Impressive Return to Form

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 fitness issues in its latter stages.

Yet, the statistics supporting his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 formation are truly remarkable.

His six-match scoring run puts him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more successive Premier League matches.

To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run lasting this many games - his top remains two individual five-match runs.

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

The Reason for the Hot Streak?

What is behind Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in recent weeks? A recent opponent's manager described it perfectly.

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

That instinct and timing inside the box was what established him as a beloved player at his former team.

Pundits point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, helping more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker a little more space.

"He is a classic centre-forward," commented 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 highs and lots of lows. A challenge of resolve and I've persisted and kept going... I've had faith and here I am now."

His manager has shown little astonishment at this rich vein of form, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the division.

The England Conversation

Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably sparked discussions of an England return.

The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, scoring four goals, but has not featured for the national team since the previous European Championship.

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

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

Stiff Competition

However, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is intense.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, following a match-winning two goals against Chelsea, is currently regarded as ahead in the hierarchy, according to some assessment.

"If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was said.

"He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a major tournament."

Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the national team coach decides to take.

"I think it might hinge on whether he includes two or three centre-forwards," an expert concluded. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."