Ollie Watkins

[PeterWithesShin]

I doubt he was told that. I think his improvement was mainly down to fitness.

[dcdavecollett]

Yes, he seemed to be running like his old self after he'd had a break from international football.

[stevo_st]

Fun Fact - For England, Ollie has a better goal per minute average than Harry Kane.

Ollie at a goal every 106 mins
Kane a goal every 115 mins (or every 160 mins if you exclude his pens)

[PeterWithesShin]

Same number of England goals as Heskey, Vardy, A. Young, Joe Bradford and Fowler. Other players have 7 but those are the QI ones.

[LeeS]

Those goals per minute stats can tell a lie though. Ollie scores mostly as a sub when defences are tired and space opens up. He’s still shown he belongs though. I love him.

[Dogtanian]

Woke up around 4am for a pee, and first thing I did was check to see if our man had scored.

Well chuffed for him. 

[paul_e]

Those goals per minute stats can tell a lie though. Ollie scores mostly as a sub when defences are tired and space opens up. He’s still shown he belongs though. I love him.

Yep, but if he rarely gets a chance to start there's nothing much he can do about it. Kane is obviously first choice but that does come with the problem that it means Watkins probably hasn't had as much time for England as he deserves. I suspect this is why Tuchel tried something different against NZ to have them both on the pitch.

[Somniloquism]

Woke up around 4am for a pee, and first thing I did was check to see if our man had scored.

Age gets us all in the end.

[Dogtanian]

Woke up around 4am for a pee, and first thing I did was check to see if our man had scored.

Age gets us all in the end.

Hey, I woke up before I peed. I'm not going to start worrying until it's touch n go. 

[brontebilly]

He will play plenty of minutes in the WC. Kane is going to struggle in the heat

[Richard]

He's certainly way ahead of that Saudi Arabian league poser Toney.

Unless theres 2 mins to go in Extra Time and penalties are imminent!!

[brontebilly]

Toney probably not a bad sub to throw on when searching for a goal. Better to be looking at him than for him. Same reason I thought Tuchel should have brought TAA, good to have options.

Ollie will get starts though in the group stages anyway.

[cdbearsfan]

Ollie will only get a start in the Group Stage if Kane gets injured or England qualify with a game to spare. Even in the latter case, they might go with Kane if they have yet to ensure top spot.

[Dogtanian]

I think being a supersub will suit Ollie in this World Cup. The heat may tire people out and he can be kept fresh only playing 20-30 minutes.

[FatSam]

I’d love him to grab at least another 2 goals on international duty this summer to join Billy Walker as the highest scoring Aston Villa player for England.