Speaking on The Big Interview with Graham Hunter, Dean Smith has been waxing-lyrical about Ollie Watkins.
Smith was reminiscing about his side’s 7-2 win against Liverpool last season, and he says that players such as Watkins, Jack Grealish and Ross Barkley were excellent that day.
Smith even went as far as to label Watkins as the best presser in the Premier League.
What’s been said?
Smith was speaking about the 7-2.
“We didn’t have a lot of possession, but we knew the areas we wanted to exploit. To be fair, it’s the one game where I look back and go that’s where the players expertly dealt with the game plan. It helps that we had a special talent in Jack Grealish, we had a player Ross Barkley where it was his first game for us and he was incredible, and Ollie Watkins, who I believe is the best presser in the Premier League,” Smith said.
Best presser in the league?
Watkins is undoubtedly an excellent presser. He’s tireless and he’s intense, but to say he’s the best in the Premier League is a tough sell.
There are so many good pressers in the Premier League, and while Watkins is unbelievable, it’s hard to consider him the best.
For our money, a player like Sadio Mane or Patrick Bamford would be in the conversation, and while Watkins is a contender, Villa aren’t the most intense pressers in the league.
Regardless, this is massive praise from Smith, and Watkins is one of Villa’s biggest weapons.
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