Ollie Watkins (foto: Getty Images)
Michael Owen has opened up about a private conversation with Ollie Watkins and explains why the Aston Villa striker could be crucial for England at the World Cup.
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Michael Owen has revealed the remarkable story behind a private conversation with Ollie Watkins that he believes helped spark one of the striker's most impressive runs of form.
The former England and Liverpool star explained that Watkins contacted him in April last year during a difficult period when goals were becoming harder to find.
At the time, the Aston Villa forward had scored just once in ten matches and wanted advice from one of England's greatest goalscorers.
"I was on holiday with my family when my phone rang. It was Ollie Watkins," Owen recalled.
"I took myself away from the family, and we spent an hour on the phone."
A goal just days later
What happened next left a lasting impression on Owen.
While flying home that weekend, he watched Villa's match against Southampton on the plane.
Watkins started on the bench but made an immediate impact after coming on.
"Straight away, I could see that Ollie was playing like a man possessed and he scored within seven minutes."
"I haven't shouted so much for a goal since I finished playing."
"I felt immensely proud."
Watkins then followed that performance by scoring after just 30 seconds in Villa's next league match against Newcastle United.
The problem? He's too nice
Owen believes Watkins possesses all the qualities needed to be one of the world's best strikers.
However, he thinks one characteristic occasionally holds him back.
"The problem with him, and I tell him this all the time, is that he's too nice."
"He's the nicest man in the world."
According to Owen, elite strikers need a ruthless edge.
"To be a top centre-forward, you've got to be a bit horrible on the pitch. You've got to be ruthless. You've got to have an edge."
Owen believes Watkins becomes most dangerous when he feels he has something to prove.
"When he gets dropped for a few games and then comes back in, or when he comes off the bench angry, he's a real game-changer."
Why England needs him
The former Ballon d'Or winner also backed Thomas Tuchel's decision to include Watkins in England's World Cup squad.
While Harry Kane remains the first-choice striker, Owen believes Watkins offers something different.
"If we're desperate for a goal, which we will be at some point in the tournament, you don't want to be bringing on vanilla."
He pointed to Watkins' famous winner against the Netherlands in the semi-final of Euro 2024 as proof that he can deliver in the biggest moments.
"I've done this before, when I come on, I'm the one who scores the goal we need."
For Owen, that confidence and experience make Watkins one of England's most valuable weapons as they chase World Cup glory.