Watkins Maintains the Edge - However Calvert-Lewin Could Still Make the International Squad

A solitary goal in his opening ten Premier League outings this season had numerous questioning if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were over.

Yet, a just four weeks on, he is the most discussed forward in England after bagging seven goals in 6 straight games.

His latest finish, in a tie against Sunderland, elevated his season's haul to eight, making him the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this term.

An Impressive Resurgence

The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was blighted by fitness issues in its final stages.

However, the data supporting his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are genuinely notable.

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

To provide context, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his top stands at two separate five-match runs.

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

The Secret to the Hot Streak?

Why has Calvert-Lewin so difficult to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager explained it succinctly.

"He has the impeccable timing," the manager stated. "He's clever and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive exactly when needed."

That instinct and positional sense inside the penalty area was what made him a beloved player at his previous club.

Experts highlight the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing more players to occupy the box and occupy defenders, thus created the striker additional space.

"He is a traditional 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 endured 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 expressed little astonishment at this hot streak, emphasizing that the player is "a top strikers" in the division.

International Question

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

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

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

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

Fierce Competition

However, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is presently considered to be leading in the hierarchy, according to some assessment.

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

"He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a significant impact at a big competition."

Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad may depend on how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to take.

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