Is Dominic Calvert-Lewin's form perfectly timed for an England recall?

The national team skipper, who's on course to win this year's Ballon d'Or, feels like the last in line of strikers at England's disposal.

Right now, a successor doesn't seem obvious, but although that may well be a long-term issue, one answer could come from what's available in the short term.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin wasn't taken to North America by Thomas Tuchel, but his early-season form for Leeds may have come at the perfect time, and this international window could be the ideal time for the striker to plead his case to at least be an alternative to England's number nine. 

Calvert-Lewin the Lion 

So far, Calvert-Lewin's international career has mirrored much of his club journey. His 12 caps have come during his best spell at Everton from 2020-2021, when free of injuries, the striker proved what an effective player he could be both in the Premier League and for his country. 

However, as injuries took their toll, his time as an England player looked to be up following his release from the Toffees last summer, having not been capped for five years.

In that time he'd been bypassed by names such as Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Dominic Solanke, and a call-up was not on the agenda when he moved to Elland Road at the start of last season in a low-key free transfer. 

But 15 goals in 2025-26 for the Yorkshire side alerted Thomas Tuchel, and Calvert-Lewin was given a run-out during March's international friendlies, earning his first cap since 2021. 

Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to bag him a spot in the England manager's World Cup squad, but with a new international campaign beginning this week, Calvert-Lewin has quickly made a case for another shot to impress the German. 

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Leading at Leeds 

Four games into the season and it's Calvert-Lewin who is the division's top-scoring English player, having netted three times in all competitions so far in 2026-27. 

His performance in Monday night's statement win over Newcastle was the player at his very best, as he scored one and assisted another in the 4-1 thumping. 

His timing couldn't be better. Tuchel is about to name his first squad since the World Cup on Friday, and there is certainly a gap waiting for Calvert-Lewin to fill. 

Solanke is injured, while the slightly older Watkins and Toney didn't enhance their credentials over the summer and are both playing in a 'lesser' league. 

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"He's a handful and tough for each and every defender," Leeds boss Daniel Farke said after his striker's display against the Magpies. 

"Dominic is a crucial player and if he shows this type of form, he's definitely one of the best strikers in this league. It's the best league in the world and that more or less sums up what I think about him as a player."

Watching on from the Monday Night Football studio, Jamie Carragher agreed with Farke's sentiments and even called the forward 'unplayable', all of which suggests he deserves another look in for the Three Lions. 

At 29, he still has more time on his side than most of the other options available to England right now and, crucially, is in better form than any of them. 

And although Dominic Calvert-Lewin isn't seen as the heir to Kane's throne for the national team, he looks to be the best and most ready to be considered next in line. 

How to watch the Premier League in Canada

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