Gareth Southgate opted to take three central strikers to Germany for Euro 2024 with all playing significant roles after Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney’s contributions in the knockouts
Ollie Watkins has warned Euro favourites Spain that England are like the Real Madrid of football.
Harry Kane last week said that while the top teams might not fear Gareth Southgate ’s team, there is an ‘aura’ about them that can clearly unnerve the opposition. And Watkins, hero of the dramatic semi-final win over the Dutch, agrees.
He explained: “If it was related to club football, you see someone like Real Madrid in a Champions League game, they are comfortable without the ball, they have that confidence that when they get the ball, they are going to score. It is the same here. We are definitely hard to beat then we just need that one chance and we can win the game.
“It doesn’t matter if we are playing poorly or if players are having an off day, we still have that world class talent where we can pop up and get that goal.” And one of those world-class players is a Real Madrid player who popped up so memorably with a spectacular equaliser against Slovakia in the round of 16.
“Whatever happens, Jude should win the Ballon D’or,” declared Watkins. “He plays with such maturity and confidence. I can’t speak any more highly of him to be honest. I played against him at Birmingham and he had that confidence about him then. It’s no surprise really to see what he’s gone on and done.”
Watkins will again have to sit on the bench when the final starts in Berlin on Sunday and is not even guaranteed to be the first choice if Gareth Southgate decides to send on a striker. But he understands the situation, saying: “I was talking to Dean Henderson against Slovakia … if I’m not coming on here then he needs to bring Ivan on because we’re going to go direct.
“He did, then Ivan set up Harry Kane. There’s no bitterness whatsoever. I was so pleased for Ivan. There are certain times where it’s more suited for Ivan to go on the pitch if we’re going more direct.
“Then there’s certain times where it’s better for me, where the game’s more open and I can run in behind and affect the game in a different way. We’ve all had massive parts to play in this competition. It was a great decision to bring all three of us.”
Watkins certainly affected the game against Holland, scoring one of the best, most crucial, goals in the history of English football – a goal he predicted to fellow substitute Cole Palmer, who provided the assist, at half-time. And the Aston Villa striker clearly believes that positive thinking can have unusual power.
He says: “It’s crazy to think I’m here and have played such a big part in getting to the final. It’s surreal – but a friend said ages ago that I would score in the Euro final but I did it a stage earlier. You never know, it could happen on the weekend. Whatever you put into the universe, you can get back.
“I’ve got that fire in my belly and am ready whenever called upon. Hopefully I get the call to come onto the pitch and hopefully I can produce.”
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