Watkins Maintains the Edge - But Calvert-Lewin May Still Make the International Squad

A solitary goal in his first ten Premier League outings this campaign had plenty of wondering whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past.

Yet, a mere four weeks on, he stands as the most discussed attacker in England following scoring seven goals in 6 straight games.

His newest finish, in a tie versus Sunderland, took his tally to eight, making him the top English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season.

A Stunning Revival

The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was marred by injuries in its final stages.

Yet, the numbers behind his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are genuinely impressive.

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

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

And the only 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 Secret to the Scoring Form?

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 intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time."

That instinct and positional sense inside the box was what established him as a popular figure at his former team.

Experts point to the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker some extra space.

"He is a traditional centre-forward," noted a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little flick beyond the keeper, a typical centre-forward's goal."

"I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've backed myself and now I'm reaping the rewards."

His manager has voiced complete confidence at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the league.

The England Question

Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has inevitably ignited talks of an England return.

The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the country since the most recent European Championship.

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

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

Intense Rivalry

Yet, competition for places behind Harry Kane is fierce.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is right now seen as ahead in the pecking order, according to some analysis.

"If you contrast the two players, Watkins possesses the advantage in terms of using his speed to test teams," it was said.

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

Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad could hinge on how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to include.

"I think it might depend on whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."