Watkins Sends a Strong Message to Tuchel Amid World Cup Aspirations

Reignite of England Hopes

Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins is well aware that his recent performance fell short of expectations for inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s latest England roster. The forward, who has only managed a single goal in his last nine Premier League outings, was surprisingly excluded from the extended 35-member squad for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.

This omission raises concerns over the potential of Watkins making his World Cup debut. After Aston Villa’s 2-0 victory over West Ham—his team’s first win following three consecutive league defeats—Watkins expressed his disappointment but also acknowledged the reasons behind it.

“Of course, I want to represent my country, but I anticipated this because my performance hasn’t been up to par,” he stated following the match.

Watkins utilized the opportunity against West Ham to prove his capabilities, finally breaking a six-match goal drought in the league. He was a persistent threat, creating multiple chances and narrowly missing additional goals by dragging two shots wide.

Despite last season’s impressive tally of 17 goals and 14 assists, his current season figures of 10 goals and just two assists leave much to be desired. With time running out before the World Cup, Watkins understands that he must impress Tuchel to secure a spot on the national team.

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy emphasized Watkins’ reliability and work ethic, stating, “You can always count on him to keep pushing and fulfilling his responsibilities for the team. Tuchel will notice that.”

Uncertain Future for Watkins

The Race for a Forward Position

With Harry Kane firmly establishing himself as England’s first-choice striker, Watkins faces fierce competition. While he has previously filled in admirably for Kane, particularly with a key goal during Euro 2024 qualifying, his limited involvement under Tuchel complicates matters.

Previously sidelined by injury for much of England’s World Cup qualification, Watkins has played sparingly under the new manager, featuring only as a substitute in a recent victory over Serbia in September. Tuchel has been forthright, indicating he is willing to make tough decisions regarding player selection as this training camp might represent the final chance for many to secure their place at the World Cup.

This situation spells potential trouble for Watkins as his performance this season has not impressed Tuchel. Meanwhile, other forwards like Dominic Solanke from Tottenham and Dominic Calvert-Lewin from Leeds United have been selected over him. However, Steven Gerrard believes that Watkins still possesses the potential to be included if he can regain form swiftly.

Hope Not Lost for the Determined Forward

Watkins’ recent struggles mirror a challenging period for Aston Villa, who had only won twice in their last ten matches before their victory against West Ham. As an entire team, they have managed just 12 goals in the current calendar year, facing a challenging shot conversion rate.

Determined to impact, Watkins led the line effectively against West Ham, constantly probing for chances. Being omitted from the England squad may have served as a motivator, and there is speculation that Tuchel was aware of this.

“You can trust Tuchel’s knowledge and insight into the players he selects,” remarked Murphy. “Goals in the coming games can certainly put Watkins back in contention. His recent scoring could be just the relief he needs, and he still has plenty of time to recover his form, showcasing his talent.”

As the international break looms, Watkins will focus on recuperation and improvement in Birmingham, with Villa manager Unai Emery well-aware of the challenges ahead for the striker.

“He is a fighter, consistently putting in effort, and I am always satisfied with his work,” Emery remarked. “Scoring today is great, but he needs to maintain consistent performances to bolster his numbers. Every player aspires to be selected for the national team, and he must continue to push himself to give the coach a headache with selections for the World Cup.”