Ollie Watkins was left out of Thomas Tuchel's latest Three Lions squad with the World Cup looming large on the horizon
Ollie Watkins.
Ollie Watkins.(Image: Getty Images)
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Ollie Watkins can force Thomas Tuchel into a World Cup rethink by firing Aston Villa into the Champions League. That's the verdict of former Villa and England star Gareth Barry, who feels Watkins is vastly underrated.
Watkins missed out on Tuchel's 35-man squad for the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, with Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin getting the nod instead. It came as a major blow for Watkins who memorably scored a dramatic winner over the Netherlands to send England into the Euro 2024 final.
But Barry has urged the 30-year-old frontman not to give up on his mission to be Harry Kane's main understudy in the United States this summer. "Ollie Watkins is a really underrated, so when he doesn't play for Villa they miss him. Every striker misses chances, and I know fans can sometimes get frustrated, but with Ollie Watkins, his goal record speaks for itself.
"He's missed out on the latest England squad and I hope he's spoken to Thomas Tuchel because for me he's ahead of Solanke and Calvert-Lewin in terms of the whole season and being consistent. Hopefully that can fire him up for the last seven games, and he should be in the 26-man squad for England as well."
Barry, who played in the 2010 World Cup while he was still at Villa, has challenged Watkins to channel his anger at Tuchel's snub into Villa's Premier League and Europa League run-ins. Unai Emery's men are fourth in the league with seven games to play and face a two-legged quarter-final against Bologna next month to keep their European dream rolling. "He'll be thinking, 'Right, let's finish this season strongly, score goals, be in a team that qualifies for Champions League, win a trophy, and play well.'
"I think Ollie will still get in that squad, but most importantly, winning a trophy with Villa would be incredible for him.
Former Aston Villa and England star Gareth Barry, the 'Angry Ambassador' at the launch of the new Angry Bird game at TOCA Social in Birmingham.(Image: Free for PR use; Toca, Sam Todd)
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"I think there's a bit of pressure. We're all human and that'll be in the back of the players' minds - not just the England players - but all players trying to compete for their country and get in the squad. But I'd say for Ollie, the pressure's come off now. He's been left out of this squad, he's got a point to prove, so I think it'll work for him."
Watkins has found goals harder to come by this season. After breaking Gabby Agbonlahor's record to become Villa's leading Premier League goalscorer last season he has only found the net 10 times in league and cup so far this season.
Despite his struggles and Unai Emery recruiting Tammy Abraham to provide competition and cover for Watkins, Barry believes the former Brentford striker deserves his place in the pantheon of Villa greats. "I loved playing with Gabby who I also thought was underrated and Ollie has gone and broken that record," added Barry. "Gabby was a real team player who would get his head down and make runs in behind defences and Ollie is the same. Fans get frustrated at times but Ollie is one of the top strikers at Villa in Premier League history and his goals prove that."
Gareth Barry is the official 'Angry Ambassador' of the new Angry Birds game at TOCA Social which launches in all its UK venues from March 30. The experience will be available at the Bullring (Birmingham), The O2, and Westfield White City. Bookings can be made at www.toca.social.