Ollie Watkins indirectly sent a message to new England boss Thomas Tuchel when responding to a teammate’s Instagram post.
The 24-year-old netted a stoppage-time equaliser on the euro semi final 2024
England had been dealt a spate of injuries ahead of kick-off, with Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane and Kyle Walker all absent, while John Stones was forced off early in the first half.
The injury crisis provided England with an opportunity to play several fringe players, with Ezri Konsa, Jarrod Bowen, Ivan Toney and player of the match Kobbie Mainoo all starting against Domenico Tedesco’s side.
But one player who received limited play time over the March international break was Tottenham’s James Maddison, with the midfielder coming on for Mainoo with just 15 minutes remaining against Belgium.
The 27-year-old stepped up, however, assisting Watkins late leveller with a clever dinked pass.
Maddison took to Instagram to celebrate his contribution after the game, with Bellingham showing his appreciation for the Spurs star.
“What a f—–g player,” Watkins replied below Maddison’s post.
While it is unclear whether
South Gate agrees with Ollie Watkins assessment of Maddison, he spoke positively about England’s fringe players when reflecting upon the March international
The Three Lions boss said: “I’m a little bit lost as to who we’ve got and who we haven’t! The great thing is, that there are definitely some players who have emerged positively from the opportunities they’ve had. We’ve perhaps got more depth in one respect, but the injuries are a concern.
Harry Kane was rested for the game, but England chose to go with a strikerless formation instead.
“He explained to me that he was trying something different. I was all for it, we’ve got so many good players,” Watkins admitted.
“He wanted to try something different but explained that he didn’t have too much time.
“I think the best example is (how) Liverpool and (Roberto) Firmino played, he was like a false nine and they got it spot on, to be fair.
“Obviously it can work but I feel like they are training together every day, you need maybe a little bit more time.
“We have definitely got the players to do it.”
Ollie Watkins feels he has proved his worth to England from the bench but wants to be starting.
The Aston Villa striker, who memorably sent his country to the Euro 2024 final with a last-minute semi-final winner against the Netherlands, endured a frustrating Nations League camp over the last week.
Despite Harry Kane being injured, Lee Carsley chose not to field a recognised striker in last Thursday’s match against Greece, instead opting to play Jude Bellingham as a false nine, and it backfired as England lost 2-1.
Watkins came on as a substitute and teed up Bellingham but was again consigned to the bench when Kane was fit enough to return against Finland on Sunday.
The 28-year-old replaced the captain in the second half in Helsinki and got another assist as he created Declan Rice’s third goal.
“People know what I can do,” he said. “Whenever I come on I always try to grab that chance with both hands and make a difference, that’s what substitutes are there to do.
“He wanted to try something different but explained that he didn’t have too much time.
“I think the best example is (how) Liverpool and (Roberto) Firmino played, he was like a false nine and they got it spot on, to be fair.
“Obviously it can work but I feel like they are training together every day, you need maybe a little bit more time.
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