The Aston Villa striker's double in Europe proves why Thomas Tuchel might need to reconsider his England squad choices.
Ollie Watkins is making Thomas Tuchel's life beautifully complicated. The Aston Villa striker's brace against Bologna in the Champions League wasn't just another European night – it was a statement wrapped in two clinical finishes that screamed 'you can't ignore me now.'
Being overlooked for England duty clearly lit a fire under the 28-year-old forward. His response has been nothing short of spectacular, following up his pre-international break strike against West Ham with a masterclass performance in Italy that reminded everyone why he earned his Three Lions call-up in the first place.
Watkins' hunger mirrors the relentless drive we've witnessed from African strikers on the continental stage – from Victor Osimhen's Napoli heroics to Sadio Mané's Bayern brilliance. That same unwavering determination to prove doubters wrong, that same refusal to let setbacks define their narrative.
With Tuchel taking the England reins, the new manager faces a delicious dilemma. Can he really afford to overlook a striker in this kind of form? Watkins isn't just knocking on the door anymore – he's kicked it clean off its hinges. The Villa marksman has turned rejection into rocket fuel, and English football is all the better for it.
