Ollie Watkins: In better form than Harry Kane – why Villa striker is no longer being ‘written off’

Since the last international break, no player has scored more goals in the Premier League than Watkins’ nine goals.

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland ranked second on the list with seven players, while Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White was the second best English player with five points.

But while Watkins is England’s in-form striker heading into the World Cup, realistically everyone is competing for the number one spot to captain Kane.

Ivan Toney has been in prolific form all season for Al-Ahli, but playing in the Saudi Pro League means it is difficult to directly compare his numbers with other rivals.

Among the rest, Watkins’ 19 goals in all competitions puts him five ahead of both Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who returned to England in March after a five-year exile, and Danny Welbeck, who last played in 2018.

Asked on Sky Sports about Watkins’ chances of being included this summer, former Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie said: “He’s got to be on the plane.” “We have seen a huge turning of the corner since we were left out.

“He was ruthless in front of goal, he showed his skills. He’s a completely different player to Harry Kane and brings something different to them.”