The Premier League striker can't play the national team? 13 touches of the ball in the game, 1st from the bottom of the rating

Encyclopedia of Balls

2024-06-04 16:01Published in Shandong

England have played their first warm-up game before the European Championships, beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 at home. However, the atmosphere of this game was more like a pre-season friendly match. The intensity of the game was not high and the fluidity was not enough, which had something to do with the fact that England were testing their new line-up.

Southgate started Watkins up front. The Villa striker was in excellent form in the Premier League last season and is valued at a whopping €65 million. He scored 19 league goals and provided 13 assists in the league. It was with his excellent performances that he helped Unai Emery's side qualify for next season's Champions League.

With his performances in the league, Watkins was named in England's 33-man preliminary squad for the European Championships. Watkins will be competing for a substitute striker spot in the national team because England's main centre-forward has already been finalised, and that is Harry Kane. In this warm-up match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Southgate sent Watkins to examine the strength of the Premier League civilian striker.

However, Watkins had a very average performance, with just 13 touches of the ball in the game, 12 fewer than goalkeeper Jordan Pickford's 25 touches, which was the lowest on the team. Watkins made just three successful passes throughout the game, the fewest of any England player (including substitutes). Watkins' sluggish performance also saw him substituted for a 66th point, with a team-low rating of 6.6 after the game.

Speaking after the game, GOAL journalist Richard Martin commented on the Villa star's performance: "He barely participated in the game in the first half, touching the ball three times in the first 36 minutes. He was lost in the England national team and had no league presence at all. ”

For Watkins, he will have to get back into training as soon as possible and aim to score in the next warm-up game against Iceland, which is England's final warm-up game before the European Championships. England's back-up centre-forward position is hotly contested, with Ivan Toney waiting for an opportunity behind him. Let's say Toney scores a goal against Iceland a few days later. Watkins' position may not be saved.

View original image 65K

• 

• 

• 

• 

•