Ollie Watkins has praised former Aston Villa teammate Marcus Rashford as the player who has most surprised him during training sessions, but admitted to being frustrated when the Manchester United forward was at the club.
The pair played alongside each other at Villa throughout the latter half of the 2024/25 campaign, after United allowed Rashford to move on loan to the club.
The 28-year-old made a strong impression during his spell at Villa Park, netting four times and registering six assists across 17 appearances. Notably, Rashford shone in the Champions League quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain and contributed to the side's progression to the FA Cup semi-final.
However, Unai Emery opted against making Rashford's move permanent, with the forward making a loan switch to Barcelona for the current season. It is fair to say he thrived in La Liga, with Rashford bagging 14 goals and contributing a further 14 assists in 49 appearances.
While Rashford's long-term prospects remain unclear, with Barca considering whether to activate the £26 million option to secure him permanently, his displays for the La Liga giants have secured him a spot in the England squad for the World Cup.
Ahead of this summer's World Cup, where Rashford and Watkins will reunite in the England squad, the Villa striker has opened up on why he was frustrated when the United player was on loan at Villa Park.
I cannot speak highly enough of him, Watkins said on Rio Ferdinand Presents on YouTube. There were times at Villa where I was on the bench, and he was keeping me out of the team, and I was frustrated, not because of him. It was just that I wanted to play, but I could understand it.
There were times, like the PSG game, where he absolutely ripped them apart. And I was on the sideline thinking, I should not come on there, really. Because he is... but I am honest like that. I do not have an ego. I knew Marcus's talent, and I knew that the manager would get the best out of him. And to be fair, he did. And he was unbelievable. His ability is frightening.
Rashford features in a highly competitive Three Lions squad ahead of this summer's tournament in North America, and he has proven to be the most surprising performer in training, according to Watkins.
Surprised me the most? It is different because there are so many good players. In the rondos, I look at who is going in a certain rondo, and then I decide not to go there. But Rashy is... in a rondo, sometimes I am on the outside, and he does something that sends me, even though I am not in the middle. So I would say him.
Rashford and Watkins are both included in the England squad ahead of the World Cup and are currently in Miami, Florida, taking part in a training camp ahead of Saturday's warm-up fixture against New Zealand.
The Three Lions then face Costa Rica four days later, before kicking off their tournament campaign against Ghana seven days later.
