Watkins Holds the Advantage - However Calvert-Lewin May Still Secure the World Cup
Just one goal in his initial ten Premier League appearances this season had plenty of wondering whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over.
Yet, a just four weeks on, he has become the most discussed striker in England following scoring seven goals in 6 straight games.
His newest finish, in a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, elevated his tally to eight, making him the top English goalscorer in the Premier League this campaign.
An Impressive Revival
The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year spell with Everton that was hampered by setbacks in its closing stages.
However, the statistics underpinning his resurgence in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 setup are extremely remarkable.
His six-game scoring run sees him in prestigious company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League outings.
To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his longest remains two separate five-match streaks.
And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in recent memory is Jamie Vardy, who went on an eight-game scoring spree for Leicester City in 2019.
The Reason for the Scoring Form?
Why has Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in recent weeks? A recent opponent's manager summed it up perfectly.
"He has the perfect timing," the manager stated. "He's intelligent and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment."
That nose for goal and timing inside the penalty area was what made him a beloved player at his previous club.
Analysts note the system adjustment to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, helping a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus given the striker additional space.
"He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a lovely little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal."
"I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of lows. A test of character and I've persevered and kept going... I've backed myself and now I'm reaping the rewards."
His manager has voiced little astonishment at this purple patch, reiterating that the player is "a top strikers" in the division.
International Question
Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has naturally sparked conversations of an England return.
The ex- Sheffield United player has 11 England caps, netting four goals, but has not represented the national team since the last European Championship.
Pundits believe the striker will be in the mix 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 continues this level of form... then he's going to be in a discussion for a World Cup place."
Stiff Rivalry
But, competition for places behind Harry Kane is intense.
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning double versus Chelsea, is currently regarded as ahead in the hierarchy, 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 stated.
"He also holds the edge when it comes to making a meaningful impact at a big competition."
Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many specialist strikers the England manager decides to select.
"I think it might hinge on whether the manager includes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit summarized. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."