BBC pundit Stephen Warnock has praised Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins after doing ‘so well’ for England against Australia this Friday, amid transfer interest from Chelsea.
The 27-year-old has been in superb form so far this season to get a recall to the Three Lions fold. Gareth Southgate had not named Watkins in any England squad since March 2022. But he gave the attacker only his second senior international start at Wembley against Australia.
Watkins had earned his only previous start in his last outing for the Three Lions against Ivory Coast. Yet despite scoring against Cote d’Ivoire, Southgate made Watkins wait to play for his country again. That wait finally ended on Friday as he got England’s only goal of the friendly.
Watkins impresses Warnock for England vs Australia
Watkins showed his poacher’s instincts to turn Jack Grealish’s shot home at the far post and secure England a 1-0 win over Australia. He enraged the Manchester City maestro by poking his attempt home. But Grealish’s effort was likely heading wide or, at best, onto the far post.
Warnock had already begun singing Watkins’ praises after enjoying an earlier chance to put England ahead at home to Australia. The eight-cap attacker – who scored on his debut back in March 2021 against San Marino – could only find the post when he ought to have scored.
Tottenham Hotspur maestro, James Maddison, played a perfectly weighted pass through to Watkins, who judged his run expertly. But Socceroos stopper, Mat Ryan, forced Aston Villa’s forward wide. Watkins then could not get the right contact on the ball to find the empty net.
Despite not scoring with that chance, Watkins impressed Warnock with his run, in particular. The two-cap former England and Aston Villa left-back also gave Ryan credit for closing down his opportunity. But Watkins would have rued the miss had he not scored in the second half.
“It wasn’t offside!” Warnock said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “Watkins timed the run to perfection as he ran in behind. He did so well but credit to Mathew Ryan, who pushed Watkins as wide as he could. Great attacking play by England.”
Chelsea are interested in his transfer from Aston Villa
Southgate would have been naïve to ignore Watkins again when naming his England squad for the October international break. The striker’s goal against Australia further proved why he merits being a part of the fold. He has scored seven in 13 games for Aston Villa this season.
Watkins has also laid on four assists alongside his four goals in eight Premier League games for Aston Villa this term. Naturally, then, the Birmingham natives locked him up with a new contract until 2028 earlier this month. His displays have attracted interest from rival teams.
According to reports by Football Transfers in September, Chelsea have shown interest in the transfer of Watkins from Aston Villa. Arsenal sporting director, Edu, had also held talks with his agent, Paulo Vernazza, about a move. The London rivals may have missed their chances.
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