Watkins Maintains the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin Could Still Secure the International Squad

A solitary goal in his first ten English top division outings this season had many questioning whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past.

Yet, a mere four weeks afterwards, he stands as the most discussed striker in England after scoring seven goals in 6 back-to-back games.

His newest finish, in a 1-1 draw versus Sunderland, brought his total to eight, making him the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign.

An Impressive Resurgence

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

Yet, the data behind his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are extremely impressive.

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

To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his longest remains two distinct five-match streaks.

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

What's Behind the Hot Streak?

What is behind Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A recent opponent's manager summed it up perfectly.

"He has the perfect timing," the manager stated. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment."

That natural ability and positional sense inside the box was what established him as a fan favourite at his previous club.

Pundits point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, helping more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, which has created the striker some extra space.

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

"I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A test of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and this is the result."

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

International Conversation

Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably ignited conversations of an England return.

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

Pundits feel the striker will be in contention for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this form.

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

Fierce Competition

But, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is incredibly tough.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning brace versus Chelsea, is currently regarded as ahead in the hierarchy, according to some opinion.

"If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was noted.

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

Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad may depend on how many specialist strikers the England manager decides to take.

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