Despite a surprising omission from the latest England squad, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has received a significant vote of confidence from pundit Danny Murphy, who insists the forward will be on the plane to the World Cup finals next summer.
The Pundit's Verdict
Speaking on Match of the Day, former Liverpool midfielder Murphy backed the 29-year-old to reclaim his place in the national team setup. Watkins was left out of manager Thomas Tuchel's squad for the upcoming dead-rubber qualifiers against Serbia and Albania, with Harry Kane named as the only recognised centre-forward.
Murphy acknowledged that Watkins' current goal return might not be at his desired level but emphasised his proven track record for England. "He's not at the numbers he would want, but I think he's proven himself in an England shirt before," Murphy stated.
The One Condition for World Cup Selection
Murphy pinpointed a single, crucial factor that will secure Watkins' spot in the squad for the tournament in North America. "If he can stay fit, score a few more goals, he's something different," he explained. The pundit praised Watkins' unique attributes, highlighting his tireless work ethic, ability to run in behind defences, and positive influence within the team environment.
Murphy concluded with a firm prediction: "I think he'll be in the World Cup squad as long as he stays fit."
Tuchel's Explanation for the Omission
The England manager, Thomas Tuchel, moved to calm any concerns about Watkins' long-term international future after announcing his squad. He clarified that the decision was based on the player's physical condition rather than a reflection of his form or abilities.
"No one needs to be nervous, we have a lot of good strikers. Ollie is one of them," Tuchel said. The German manager revealed that Watkins has been "playing through discomfort" recently, making it illogical to bring him into the camp. The break is intended to allow him to receive treatment and return to full fitness to compete for his place when the squad reconvenes in March.
Watkins, who has scored six goals in 20 appearances for England, will now use this period to recover and work towards fulfilling the condition set out for his World Cup dream.
