Soccer
Why does Aston Villa star Watkins believe he can be England's supersub?
Ollie Watkins is primed to be the perfect supersub as Thomas Tuchel’s England go for glory at the World Cup.
With skipper Harry Kane set to continue leading the line, Aston Villa ace Watkins will start on the bench when Tuchel’s men kick off their Group L campaign against Croatia on Wednesday.
But the striker reminded everyone of his value to the Three Lions in their final warm-up game when he climbed off the bench late in the second half to net the third goal in a 3-0 win over Costa Rica.
And Watkins, 30, is relishing the opportunity to shine at the tournament in North America — regardless of how many minutes he gets on the pitch.
Speaking to Villa’s official website, he said: “I think everyone knows what I can do. I bring something different off the bench when the game opens up.
“We’ve got so many amazing players in the team that, come 60-70 minutes, if we need to freshen up the legs we’ve got more than enough ability on the bench to change the game.”
With intense heat and weather conditions likely to play a part throughout the World Cup, Tuchel will need to do whatever he can to keep his stars fit and firing.
That means Watkins and his fellow subs could prove as crucial as the likes of Kane if England are to end 60 years of hurt.
He added: “There are so many players to choose from, obviously.
“Players who are physically at our best and in goalscoring form, also coming off the back of individuals winning trophies. I think it’s really positive.”
Introduced in the 71st minute against Costa Rica, Watkins found the net three minutes from time when he nodded home after Morgan Rogers’ strike had been parried.
Having scored 21 goals in all competitions for Villa last season, the former Brentford hitman is hungry to add to the seven he has now bagged in an England shirt.
But with Ivan Toney also in the squad, Watkins will need to be at his best during every training session to ensure he gets the nod whenever Tuchel needs to give Kane a rest or call on extra firepower.
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