Wayne Rooney has already changed his mind on Ollie Watkins after grim Aston Villa verdict
Wayne Rooney is confident Ollie Watkins will still be named in England’s World Cup squad, despite claiming his spot on the plane was in danger just days ago.
Watkins delivered a poor performance in Aston Villa’s 2-0 defeat by Wolves last time out, as shown by the Sofascore graphic below, and Unai Emery could decide to drop him.
The frontman has only scored one goal in his last 11 games, while he has also netted in just six of the 38 matches he has played across all competitions this season.
Unsurprisingly, Villa supporters are clamouring for Tammy Abraham to get the nod over him, but Rooney believes Watkins will still be able to play a big part for his country this summer.
- Read more: Ollie Watkins’ World Cup hopes in danger after what Wayne Rooney saw in Aston Villa vs Leeds
Ollie Watkins tipped to play second fiddle to Harry Kane
It has been an up-and-down campaign for the 30-year-old. He started slowly and came under scrutiny, but rediscovered his finishing touch during a promising run in December.
That saw him win back his spot in Villa‘s starting XI, and led to Donyell Malen being shipped out to Roma, but once again, Emery has been handed a tricky selection dilemma.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Rooney tipped Watkins for a Three Lions call-up regardless, and even said he will act as the back-up option to captain and talisman Harry Kane.
“Ollie Watkins, for me, Ollie Watkins will be there,” said Rooney.
“Then you’ve got players just behind that, not behind Ollie Watkins, but from the No 10 position – that’s your creativity, that’s the players you’ve got to go and create chances for these forwards to try and score.
“But ultimately, if Harry’s fit, he’ll play, and he’s the main player still for England. So, yes, I think probably Ollie Watkins is the one for me to go behind.”
It was only in late February that Rooney had cast doubt over Watkins’ place in the squad, having told him to “perform a little better” after Villa’s 1-1 draw with Leeds United.
Who could England play ahead of Watkins?
Thomas Tuchel is spoiled for choice in the No 9 position, which spells danger for Watkins.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has impressed at Leeds, despite suffering from a barren drought of his own, and currently boasts the most goals of any English player in the Premier League.
Brighton’s Danny Welbeck is continuing to astound at the top level despite turning 35 last November, but Tuchel has bizarrely overlooked him since replacing Gareth Southgate.
The quartet will know they will be playing second fiddle to Kane, and therefore they will have to impress in fleeting moments, just like Watkins did at Euro 2024.
His superb strike against the Netherlands sent England into the final, and both Tuchel and Rooney will clearly trust him to pick his moments again during the World Cup.
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