Watkins Maintains the Edge - Yet Calvert-Lewin Could Still Make the World Cup
A solitary goal in his first ten top-flight appearances this campaign had plenty of doubting whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's peak were over.
Yet, a just four weeks later, he has become the most talked-about forward in England after netting seven goals in 6 straight games.
His most recent strike, in a tie versus Sunderland, elevated his total to eight, seeing him become the top English scorer in the Premier League this term.
An Impressive Resurgence
The 28-year-old moved to Leeds United on a free transfer in the summer, following a nine-year period with Everton that was blighted by injuries in its closing stages.
But, the numbers underpinning his comeback in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 system are extremely remarkable.
His six-match scoring streak places him in exclusive company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more consecutive Premier League matches.
To frame that statistic, even England captain Harry Kane never managed a run of this length - his top remains two distinct 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 spree for Leicester City in 2019.
What's Behind the Hot Streak?
Why has Calvert-Lewin so tough to stop in the past month? A latest opponent's manager summed it up perfectly.
"He has the ideal timing," the manager said. "He's smart and a really good striker and he found the timing to arrive just on time."
That nose for goal and positional sense inside the penalty area was what made him a popular figure at his former team.
Pundits note the tactical shift to a 3-5-2 as a significant factor, enabling more players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thereby given the striker a little more space.
"He is a archetypal centre-forward," commented a former professional. "For the goal... it was a exquisite little touch beyond the keeper, a textbook centre-forward's goal."
"I've endured a lot since then. Lots of highs and lots of downs. A test of mentality and I've hung in there and kept going... I've believed in myself and here I am now."
His manager has shown complete confidence at this hot streak, stating again that the player is "among the elite strikers" in the division.
World Cup Question
Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has inevitably sparked talks of an England call-up.
The former Sheffield United player has 11 England appearances, scoring four goals, but has not represented the national team since the last European Championship.
Analysts feel the striker will be in consideration for the World Cup squad if he can keep up this standard.
"He looks as sharp as he has in a while," one commented. "If he maintains this level of form... then he's going to be in a conversation for a World Cup place."
Intense Rivalry
But, the battle for places behind Harry Kane is intense.
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, fresh off a match-winning brace against Chelsea, is presently considered to be leading in the pecking order, according to some analysis.
"If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his pace to test teams," it was noted.
"He also has the edge when it comes to making a decisive impact at a major tournament."
Finally, whether Calvert-Lewin is part of the squad might come down to how many out-and-out strikers the England manager decides to select.
"I think it might depend on whether the manager takes two or three centre-forwards," an pundit concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."