Watkins Aims for Late England World Cup Squad Selection After Goal Surge
Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins remains hopeful of securing a spot in England's squad for the upcoming World Cup, despite being excluded from manager Thomas Tuchel's recent 35-man roster for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. The 30-year-old striker acknowledged his previous lack of form but has recently rediscovered his scoring touch, netting four goals in his last four matches. This resurgence includes scoring his 100th goal for Villa during a 4-0 Europa League victory over Bologna. Watkins emphasized that his only strategy to regain international recognition is to continue performing well and scoring goals in the final weeks of the domestic season. England is currently preparing for the World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with warm-up matches scheduled against New Zealand and Costa Rica in June. The team will open their Group L campaign against Croatia in Dallas on June 17, followed by fixtures against Ghana and Panama. Watkins, who earned 20 caps and participated in Euro 2024, accepts Tuchel's earlier decision but is determined to prove his worth through on-pitch performance before the final squad announcement.
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Watkins Aims for Late England World Cup Squad Selection After Goal Surge
Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins remains hopeful of securing a spot in England's squad for the upcoming World Cup, despite being excluded from manager Thomas Tuchel's recent 35-man roster for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. The 30-year-old striker acknowledged his previous lack of form but has recently rediscovered his scoring touch, netting four goals in his last four matches. This resurgence includes scoring his 100th goal for Villa during a 4-0 Europa League victory over Bologna. Watkins emphasized that his only strategy to regain international recognition is to continue performing well and scoring goals in the final weeks of the domestic season. England is currently preparing for the World Cup, hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with warm-up matches scheduled against New Zealand and Costa Rica in June. The team will open their Group L campaign against Croatia in Dallas on June 17, followed by fixtures against Ghana and Panama. Watkins, who earned 20 caps and participated in Euro 2024, accepts Tuchel's earlier decision but is determined to prove his worth through on-pitch performance before the final squad announcement.
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