JUST IN: “In terms of [being] attacking”Bias Gareth Southagate make Excuse on why Harry Kane is Undisputed to England national team Over Watkins and Toney.
Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney have emerged as top contenders to support England’s captain and record-breaking scorer Harry Kane as strikers for the national team this season. Their impressive performances at their respective clubs secured them places in Gareth Southgate’s preliminary 33-player squad.
Watkins had a stellar season, registering a career-high of 27 goals across all competitions for Aston Villa. Despite serving an eight-month suspension until January, Toney managed to score four Premier League goals for Brentford and earned his first England goal in March, although he ended the season with a 12-game goal drought.
While many anticipated Southgate would drop either Watkins or Toney from the final 26-man squad, he chose to keep both as striking options alongside Kane. Responding to queries about the decision to include three strikers and whether it implied a more attacking mindset, Southgate explained that their different playing styles influenced his choice.
He affirmed Kane’s role as the primary starter but highlighted the unique qualities that Watkins and Toney bring, which could be beneficial in different game scenarios. With the allowance of five substitutions in competitive matches and squads facing rigorous schedules, Southgate emphasized the importance of having diverse options. He expressed confidence in Watkins and Toney’s ability to perform despite transitioning from lead strikers at their clubs to supporting roles for England.
Southgate emphasized the significance of trust in boosting attackers’ confidence, stating, “They’re both very, very good players and they are here because we believe in them.” Watkins has scored three goals in 12 appearances for England, while Toney has one goal in two caps.