Tim Howard has suggested that Chelsea could have a chance to sign Ollie Watkins by claiming that Aston Villa will do ‘really well to hold onto him’ and how the ‘top clubs’ will be looking to ‘poach’ him.
The former Premier League goalkeeper says the 15-goal man is someone who has ‘a good head on his shoulders’ and he can do a ‘multitude’ of things out on the pitch, as he told Sky Sports PL during their Summer Series coverage (24/07/23).
With Chelsea looking for yet another number nine, they have seemingly targeted Villa’s man up top.
For three seasons straight, Ollie Watkins has hit double figures for Aston Villa, and now that he is working under Unai Emery, there is every chance he can score 20+ Premier League goals next term.
Given that Villa are in Europe ahead of the forthcoming season, then he should be aiming for, at least, 20+ in all comps, never mind just in the Premier League.
Former Manchester United and Everton man Howard thinks that Watkins is a ‘dangerous’ player who has many qualities to his game.
“Strikers are always at such a premium,” said Howard. “Aston Villa will do really well to hold onto him because he scores goals, he is always dangerous and he can do a multitude of things.
“Some of the top clubs, whether they like or not, can poach those players. Ollie Watkins has a good head on his shoulders. He enjoys where he is and long may that continue for Aston Villa.”
Watkins progressing well at Villa
From 116 Premier League games, he has 43 goals, which is pretty good for a player that didn’t start his career as a striker.
Dean Smith scouted him when he was on-loan at Weston-super-Mare from Exeter, before taking him on board as Brentford boss and then as Aston Villa manager in the Premier League.
In his first campaign in England’s top-flight, he struck 14 goals, before Smith was sacked, Steven Gerrard came in, Watkins struggled, and before Emery’s arrival last term, he was on one goal.
Emery then transformed the seven-cap England international and now he is at the top of his game.
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