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

Just one goal in his initial ten Premier League appearances this season had many doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's best days were in the past.

However, a mere four weeks afterwards, he stands as the most talked-about attacker in England following netting 7 goals in six back-to-back games.

His latest finish, in a tie against Sunderland, took his tally to eight, making him the highest English scorer in the Premier League this term.

A Stunning Revival

The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was marred by injuries in its latter stages.

Yet, the data underpinning his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are genuinely impressive.

His six-game scoring sequence sees him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League matches.

To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his top remains two individual five-match runs.

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

The Secret to the Purple Patch?

Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A previous opponent's manager described it perfectly.

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

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

Experts note the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, allowing a greater number of players to get into the box and occupy defenders, which has provided the striker some extra space.

"He is a classic centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal."

"I've endured a lot since then. Lots of ups and lots of downs. A challenge of resolve and I've persevered and kept going... I've believed in myself and now I'm reaping the rewards."

His manager has shown complete confidence at this purple patch, reiterating that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the competition.

International Conversation

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

The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England caps, scoring four goals, but has not represented the Three Lions since the last European Championship.

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

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

Intense Rivalry

But, the battle for places as backup to Harry Kane is intense.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive double against Chelsea, is currently seen as leading in the selection race, according to some assessment.

"If you look at the two players, Watkins possesses the edge in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was said.

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

Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to 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 he includes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit summarized. "If it is three, he certainly has a chance."