Thomas Tuchel is England’s new manager and he is blessed to have two serious strikers to pick from.
Ollie Watkins is Aston Villa’s main guy and one of the best strikers in the Premier League, whilst Harry Kane is the captain of his country and the man leading the line for Bayern Munich.
At Euro 2024, Kane struggled like mad, whilst Watkins produced an amazing winning moment against the Netherlands, but wasn’t provided with enough minutes to make a true impact.
In the end, it resulted in Gareth Southgate guiding the Three Lions to another European final and heartbreaking defeat to deserved winners Spain.
Fast forward to the present, and with Southgate out of the door, it seems as though the powers that be haven’t learnt their lessons.
Watkins is still being disrespected on England duty and the Aston Villa man isn’t earning the minutes that he deserves.
But when he does start, then, as Watkins proved against Greece, he is on hand to score for his country, with the 2026 World Cup edging closer.
Whilst Kane started in a second-half rout for England against ten-man Republic of Ireland, some have made their feelings clear about the player and it has left Robbie Savage surprised.
Chris Sutton thinks Ollie Watkins should lead the line for England ahead of Harry Kane
There is a clear difference between the two, with Kane more ruthless in front of goal, but Watkins providing that mobility and energy.
For years, England have looked lacklustre and slow in their play, which hasn’t helped Kane’s cause because he isn’t light-footed.
But Watkins is and Chris Sutton stated that he would start the 28-year-old ahead of Kane, which left Robbie Savage shocked and he told BBC’s 606 that it’s ‘incredible’.
“What happened for the first goal and who passed it,” asked Savage. “It’s a good debate. At half-time, I am sure Chris (Sutton) and lots of England fans would have been saying ‘Ollie Watkins should come on, it’s not working’, but then Harry Kane stays on the park and does an unbelievable pass. I think only Trent and Harry Kane could play that pass.”Sutton then stated: “Is it a worry that 18 months down the line, and nobody is doubting Harry Kane’s ability, in terms of he can play as a ten and that pass Robbie is talking about. Nobody is doubting that. But is it a worry that in 18 months time, Harry Kane physically and his mobility won’t be what it is now.”
Savage responded: “He isn’t in the team for his mobility, is he!?” Then Sutton added: “You do need a striker or players to stretch a backline. If it isn’t coming from other areas, is Ollie Watkins a better option 18 months down the line?”
Savage then asks Sutton “What do you think?” And he responds: “I think Ollie Watkins is more mobile than Harry Kane.”
Savage then stated: “Okay, let me write this down ‘Chris says leave Harry Kane out of squad’. Wow. So, Chris would leave Harry Kane out of the England squad. Incredible. Wow. That’s quite remarkable, Chris.”Watkins v Kane stats
Given that Watkins is now playing on the Champions League stage, it has elevated his game and provided him with a chance to push Kane even harder.
This isn’t a case of pushing the former Tottenham man out of the way, but just providing his counterpart with more chances.
Saying that, Watkins isn’t exactly flying in Villa colours as he would like this season, but it’s a different story for Kane, who has already scored 17 goals in all competitions, as posted by Tranfermarkt.
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