No player has scored as many goals in the Premier League as Dominic Calvert-Lewin has over the last five games. The Leeds United striker has scored six, after his brace against Crystal Palace.
Erling Haaland netted his fifth in five games during Man City’s win over West Ham on Saturday, while Hugo Ekitike made it five goals in three games for Liverpool. But he failed to score in the two before that.
Answer this: Leeds United will finish in ___th place if Dominic Calvert-Lewin stays fit 📊
Six goals in five for the big man!
Villa’s Morgan Rogers has four in his last five, making Calvert-Lewin the most in-form attacker in the Premier League as things stand. England need a back-up striker ahead of the World Cup next summer.
Danny Welbeck’s form has dried up of late, Ollie Watkins has failed to get going for Villa this season, and Ivan Toney looks set to miss out given he’s in Saudi Arabia. So, can Calvert-Lewin win himself a call-up?
Gary Lineker and Wayne Rooney agree on Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Daniel Farke has backed Calvert-Lewin to win himself a call-up, with England facing Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay and then Ao Tanaka’s Japan in March. One chance to prove himself before the World Cup.
But Gary Lineker thinks it is premature to suggest Calvert-Lewin will be called up for the World Cup as back-up to Harry Kane. He told The Rest Is Football that Calvert-Lewin needs to focus on what he’s doing.
“We do know there’s a very good centre-forward if he keeps fit. For now, he should remain focused and keep doing what he’s doing. England do need a back-up no.9, but Ollie Watkins is way ahead at present.”
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Wayne Rooney agreed with Lineker on his BBC podcast. He believes that there is a chance Calvert-Lewin can go to The Americas next summer, but realistically, Villa’s Watkins remains ahead of the Leeds striker.
“If he continues this form, there’s no reason why he can’t go to the World Cup, purely because of the lack of forward England have. Ollie Watkins is back into form. I think you go with Watkins over Dominic.
“But at this moment in time, he’s put himself in a position where Thomas Tuchel has to look at him – he’s given himself a chance. At this moment, he will be making Tuchel and his coaches look,” Rooney said.
What the pundits are failing to realise about Calvert-Lewin
The thing is, Tuchel has the opportunity to pick 26 players, not 23. Plenty of pundits are discussing the direct back-up to Kane and the fight between Watkins and Calvert-Lewin to provide cover for the skipper.
But there are so many places up for grabs and surely, Tuchel can put aside three positions for the striker role in 2026? On form, Calvert-Lewin is the easy choice, but in truth, all three offer something different.
England need Dominic Calvert-Lewin more than they need Ollie Watkins – surely? 🦁🦁🦁
Who are you taking and why?
Kane is a playmaker as well as scoring goals, Watkins can run in behind. But if England need a goal against a low block, and can only throw the ball into the box, having Calvert-Lewin up top is a solution.
Calvert-Lewin’s form, then, could tempt Tuchel to take three strikers with him to the World Cup next summer, with all three options offering something different. Hopefully, Calvert-Lewin remains fit.
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