Aston Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor is not happy with Gareth Southgate and makes Ollie Watkins Euro 2024 claim.
It’s been an underwhelming Euro 2024 campaign so far for England, despite the Three Lions progressing into the quarter-final on Sunday night.
An extra-time victory against Slovakia saw Gareth Southgate’s side reach the next round, with Switzerland now waiting on Saturday evening.
The Slovakia win was memorable for Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa, who made his debut at the tournament however, it was another night of no action for Ollie Watkins.
Gabby Agbonlahor fumes at Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins treatment at Euro 2024
In England’s four games at Euro 2024 so far, Watkins has played 20 minutes, coming on as a substitute during the Three Lions’ group stage draw with Denmark.
Southgate’s side have been criticised for their lackadaisical performances at the tournament, with the latest win against Slovakia being no different.
Reacting to England’s 2-1 win, Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor made a claim for Watkins as Southgate’s forwards came under fire once more.
On talkSPORT, Jeff Stelling said that Unai Emery’s talisman had ‘fallen down the pecking order’ by no fault of his own, to which Agbonlahor shared his opinion.
“It just doesn’t make sense, everyone watching the game can see the fact that Harry Kane is doing nothing. Foden is not working on the left, Saka wasn’t at his best.
“Make the changes, it’s not rocket science, Watkins is hungry, look when he came on earlier in the tournament, he’s there making runs in behind.
“That’s what we needed yesterday [v Slovakia] but because Harry Kane scored now, that’s why you keep him on, he’s a goalscorer, no, Watkins would have scored that goal, Toney would have scored that goal, make the right changes. Anyone is droppable.”
Agbonlahor’s call for Watkins in the England squad will be echoed by many
Watkins came on for Kane against Denmark and showed glimpses of the alternative playing style he can offer to the Bayern Munich marksman.
The Villa man was seen making intricate runs in behind the opposition defence, something that has rarely been seen since in Southgate’s static approach.
It was no fluke that Watkins contributed to 32 goals for Villa in the 2023/24 Premier League season, showcasing his strength in playmaking and scoring, something England are severely lacking.
It’s unfortunate that the 28-year-old has seemingly fallen down Southgate’s peculiar pecking order, as Ivan Toney was selected to come on late in the game, where he assisted Kane’s match-winner.
Only time will tell if Watkins can secure more minutes at the tournament, as England face a great challenge on Saturday against an in-form Swiss side.
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