Watkins Possesses the Advantage - Yet Calvert-Lewin Could Still Make the World Cup
Just one goal in his opening ten English top division games this campaign had numerous wondering whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin's prime were over.
Yet, a only four weeks later, he is the most discussed forward in England after scoring seven goals in 6 straight games.
His most recent goal, in a stalemate versus Sunderland, took his total to eight, making him the highest English goalscorer in the Premier League this term.
A Remarkable Revival
The 28-year-old signed for Leeds United on a Bosman move in the summer, after a nine-year stint with Everton that was marred by fitness issues in its closing stages.
Yet, the statistics supporting his revival in Daniel Farke's new counter-attacking 3-5-2 formation are extremely notable.
His six-match scoring run puts him in prestigious company as only the 11th English player to score in six or more straight Premier League fixtures.
To put that into perspective, even England captain Harry Kane was unable to produce a run this long - his best is two separate five-match runs.
And the only English striker to outdo Calvert-Lewin in the modern era is Jamie Vardy, who produced an eight-game scoring run for Leicester City in 2019.
The Secret to the Purple Patch?
What has made Calvert-Lewin so hard to stop in the past month? A previous opponent's manager explained it perfectly.
"He has the perfect timing," the manager remarked. "He's intelligent and a excellent striker and he found the timing to arrive at the perfect moment."
That instinct and timing inside the box was what established him as a popular figure at his previous club.
Pundits point to the formation change to a 3-5-2 as a major factor, enabling a greater number of players to enter the box and occupy defenders, thus provided the striker additional space.
"He is a traditional 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 challenge of resolve and I've hung in there and kept going... I've backed myself and here I am now."
His manager has expressed complete confidence at this purple patch, reiterating that the player is "one of the best strikers" in the competition.
The England Dilemma
Calvert-Lewin's scoring run has naturally fueled talks of an England recall.
The ex- Sheffield United player has eleven England appearances, with four goals, but has not represented the country since the most recent European Championship.
Observers 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 remarked. "If he sustains this level of form... then he's going to be in a debate for a World Cup place."
Fierce Competition
Yet, competition for places supporting Harry Kane is fierce.
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa, coming off a decisive brace against Chelsea, is presently seen as leading in the hierarchy, according to some analysis.
"If you compare the two players, Watkins holds the advantage in terms of using his speed to get behind teams," it was stated.
"He also holds the advantage when it comes to making a decisive impact at a big competition."
Ultimately, whether Calvert-Lewin will be the squad might come down to how many natural strikers the head coach decides to take.
"I think it might come down to whether the manager selects two or three centre-forwards," an analyst concluded. "If it is three, he definitely has a chance."