Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed a few chances in Leeds United’s 1-1 draw against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.
Leeds took the lead in the first half, and Calvert-Lewin had the chance to bury the game for the away side and help them walk away with all three points against his former team.
However, the former Everton striker failed to score, and the home side finally levelled things up in the 76th minute to ensure that they didn’t lose their fifth league game in their new stadium this season.
Calvert-Lewin has been in good form, and there is talk of him returning to the England squad ahead of next summer’s World Cup. However, Carragher is unsure that it is going to happen.
Jamie Carragher has assessed Dominic Calvert-Lewin and his World Cup chances
The former England defender indicated that Ollie Watkins is likely to get the nod ahead of Calvert-Lewin for a spot in the World Cup squad next summer.
He stressed that Watkins is playing for an Aston Villa side who are third in the table, and played well for England in the last major tournament.
Carragher conceded that there is not too much to choose from between the two strikers, but feels Calvert-Lewin’s injury history could likely go against him.
Carragher said on Sky Sports: “I think Calvert-Lewin is in fantastic form, but Ollie Watkins is playing for one of the top teams in the country.
“He did really well for England in the last tournament, also.
“I don’t think there’s too much to choose from between the two players if I’m being totally honest, but yes, he’s kept himself fit for Leeds brilliantly.
“But he’s also got that little thing where you’re not quite sure fitness-wise maybe as much as Watkins, so maybe that reliability a little bit, I’ll just go for Watkins.”
Calvert-Lewin still has time to prove the doubters wrong
Thomas Tuchel is not expected to announce his next England squad until March, when the national team reconvenes for two friendlies, including one against Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay.
| Metric | Dominic Calvert-Lewin | Ollie Watkins |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 22 | 32 |
| Goals | 9 | 8 |
| Assists | 1 | 1 |
| Minutes Played | 1,528 | 2,141 |
| Minutes per Goal | 170 | 268 |
There is still plenty of time, and a busy run of fixtures, before the England boss finalises his choices. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is in outstanding form and looks sharper than he has for some time, and if he can remain fit while continuing to find the net, the pressure on Tuchel will only grow.
Ollie Watkins has hit form at the right time after struggling in the first half of the season, and the Leeds striker has to keep scoring goals to ensure he remains on the England manager’s radar.
