Chris Sutton has weighed in on the debate over Ollie Watkins’ future with the Golden Boot in England and the Premier League.
Watkins was in the news again after his brilliant performance and cheeky 19th goal of the season helped Aston Villa to a surprise 2-0 win over title challengers Arsenal.
He is just one goal behind Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Chelsea’s Cole Palmer, who scored four goals in last night’s 6-0 win over Everton.
Sutton stressed that Watkins’ failure to give Villa a penalty was an issue that could cost him his top scorer spot.
But the former Villa striker and BBC pundit has no doubts about who will replace Harry Kane at Euro 2024.
When asked about the Golden Boot, Sutton said on Monday Night Club: You still like Haaland – and he (Watkins) got the penalty, right?
I’ve seen him receive them for Villa before. He could have talked to Unai Emery, or he could have talked to Unai and said, “You may have stolen the golden shoes from me.” »
“Unai has taken them to the next level. When you think about what he inherited from Steven Gerrard, how he really improved the team,
when you think about the transfer market and the contracts he made with players. , the coach is going to judge him on what he has.
”The way he coaches and the players, he’s improved and Watkins has grown under him. “Watkins should be the second striker after Harry Kane.
I know there’s debate about whether it should be Ivan Toney, but people are praising him – he’s the second striker after Harry Kane. is a different type of player.
“But I think Watkins is more than just a goalscorer. His goal against Arsenal… I mean, I’m confident he can do it. But it’s not just that.
“He’s a different type of player to Harry Kane, but Roy Keane kicked Erling Haaland out of League Two because of his link-up play,
which I don’t agree with, but Ollie Watkins is versatile. He’s a great player.”
