Former Premier League striker Jermain Defoe has expressed his need to see Ollie Watkins get extra minutes in England’s EURO 2024 Spherical-of-16 assembly with Slovakia on Sunday (June 30). Defoe believes the Aston Villa ace might assist the Three Lions be extra dynamic within the last third of the pitch.
Jermain Defoe Needs Gareth Southgate To Use Ollie Watkins In EURO 2024 Spherical of 16
England supervisor Gareth Southgate has gotten plenty of flak for his staff’s underwhelming performances at EURO 2024. Nonetheless, regardless of his staff’s struggles within the last third, Southgate has not made any personnel adjustments up prime. He has caught with the entrance three of Phil Foden, Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka, with Jude Bellingham providing help.
For the Spherical of 16 assembly with Slovakia, Defoe has suggested Southgate to try Watkins, who got here to EURO 2024 after claiming 19 targets and 13 assists within the Premier League final season.
Explaining why the 28-year-old can be a tremendous addition, Defoe informed the PA information company (by way of Irish Information):
“When Ollie Watkins got here on (in opposition to Denmark), he regarded actually sharp.
“He’s somebody who can get us up the pitch as a result of he’s so dynamic. He runs in behind, the ball doesn’t solely come to his ft.”
The previous England worldwide added:
“I might like to see see him concerned somewhat bit extra as a result of Harry Kane can drop into that 10 place, to roam and do his stuff.
“Harry is such a world-class finisher and it’s nearly like he can play in two positions, having nearly mastered the quantity 9 place as a focus and may then additionally play in at quantity 10 as a result of his passing fee is likely one of the finest.”
How Has Ollie Watkins Fared For England In Germany
Watkins, 28, has performed simply 22 minutes of soccer for England in EURO 2024. Southgate launched him for Harry Kane within the 69th minute within the 1-1 draw with Denmark, and Watkins nearly made an instantaneous impression. Three minutes after approaching, he latched on to a ball in behind and had a go at Kasper Schmeichel’s purpose from a decent angle. The Anderlecht goalkeeper made a tremendous save to disclaim the ahead.
He additionally gained an aerial duel and tried a dribble within the 20-odd minutes he was on the pitch.
