Watkins Maintains the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin May Yet Make the World Cup

Just one goal in his opening ten English top division games this season had plenty of wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were in the past.

Yet, a mere four weeks on, he is the most discussed striker in England following scoring seven goals in six straight games.

His newest strike, in a stalemate against Sunderland, took his tally to eight, establishing him as the leading English scorer in the Premier League so far this season.

A Stunning Resurgence

The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, after a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by fitness issues in its final stages.

However, the numbers supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are truly impressive.

His six-match scoring run sees him in elite company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League matches.

To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane did not achieve a run of this length - his longest remains two separate five-match runs.

And the only English striker to better Calvert-Lewin in recent years is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019.

The Reason for the Purple Patch?

Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in this period? A previous opponent's manager explained it succinctly.

"He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed."

That instinct and timing inside the penalty area was what established him as a popular figure at his former team.

Pundits note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, helping a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, which has created the striker a little more space.

"He is a traditional centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little finish 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 believed in myself and this is the result."

His manager has shown complete confidence at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the league.

World Cup Conversation

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

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

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

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

Stiff Competition

However, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is incredibly tough.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive brace versus Chelsea, is presently regarded as leading in the pecking order, according to some opinion.

"If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the edge in terms of using his speed to test teams," it was noted.

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

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

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