Watkins Holds the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin Might Yet Make the International Squad
Just one goal in his opening ten Premier League appearances this season had numerous wondering if Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were in the past.
Yet, a mere four weeks on, he has become the hottest attacker in England following scoring 7 goals in six consecutive games.
His most recent finish, in a stalemate against Sunderland, took his total to eight, establishing him as the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League so far this season.
An Impressive Resurgence
The 28-year-old moved to 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.
However, the numbers supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new fast-breaking 3-5-2 system are genuinely remarkable.
His six-match scoring run sees him in exclusive company as just the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League fixtures.
To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his longest is two individual five-match streaks.
And the sole English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring streak for Leicester City in 2019.
The Reason for the Purple Patch?
What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager explained it succinctly.
"He has the impeccable timing," the manager said. "He's intelligent and a genuinely top-class striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time."
That natural ability and positional sense inside the 18-yard box was what turned him into a popular figure at his previous club.
Analysts highlight the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus provided the striker some extra space.
"He is a traditional centre-forward," observed a former professional. "For the goal... it was a neat little finish beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal."
"I've experienced a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A challenge of character and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now."
His manager has expressed little astonishment at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "a top strikers" in the competition.
International Question
Calvert-Lewin's resurgence has predictably sparked conversations of an England call-up.
The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, scoring four goals, but has not played for the national team since the last European Championship.
Observers feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can sustain this level.
"He looks as fit as he has in a considerable period," one said. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place."
Fierce Competition
Yet, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is fierce.
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a decisive two goals versus Chelsea, is currently regarded as ahead in the pecking order, according to some opinion.
"If you compare the two players, Watkins has the edge in terms of using his speed to stretch teams," it was said.
"He also possesses the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a big competition."
Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin makes it to the squad might come down to how many natural strikers the national team coach decides to include.
"I think it might come down to whether he takes two or three centre-forwards," an expert added. "If it is three, he absolutely has a chance."
