{"id":294692,"date":"2023-10-22T20:23:59","date_gmt":"2023-10-22T20:23:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/?p=294692"},"modified":"2023-10-22T20:23:59","modified_gmt":"2023-10-22T20:23:59","slug":"jamie-carragher-insists-ollie-watkins-is-englands-harry-kane-back-up","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/soccer\/jamie-carragher-insists-ollie-watkins-is-englands-harry-kane-back-up\/","title":{"rendered":"Jamie Carragher insists Ollie Watkins is England's Harry Kane back up"},"content":{"rendered":"
Jamie Carragher has insisted in-form Aston Villa striker Ollie Wakins must be the deputy for England captain Harry Kane.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Watkins’ excellent near post finish during Villa’s 4-1 win over West Ham takes his goal tally to five in the Premier League this season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His performances have been impressive, earning him an England call-up during the most recent International break.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The striker bagged the only goal during England’s friendly with Australia, and former Liverpool defender Carragher has named him as the next in line should Harry Kane fall foul of injury.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Watkins himself also opened up about his relationship with former manager Dean Smith, describing him as his ‘dad’.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ollie Watkins beautifully finished from a difficult angle to take his goal tally to five in the league<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Watkins spoke with former manager Dean Smith after the game, showing Smith much love<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jamie Carragher spoke very highly of Watkins and tipped him to be a Harry Kane replacement\u00a0<\/p>\n
Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Sky Sports Carragher insisted: ‘Even when he doesn’t score he can play a big role and you can see that. As the game has gone on he runs in behind. When he stand alongside him, I thought he was taller. He has that presence and the pace.<\/p>\n
‘If Harry Kane is injured, he is England’s centre-forward’\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘Him and [Moussa] Diaby look like they’re trying to combine. The set up means he doesn’t need to come deep, you can see it all and it’s all about getting it central. He doesn’t need to go deep, he can create space between the lines.<\/p>\n
The Villa striker also spoke on Sky Sports after the game, and highlighted his own ambition to keep improving as a player as well as his affection for former boss Smith.<\/p>\n
Watkins joked: ‘I always text Dean and say that I owe it to him because I wouldn\u2019t have been at Bretford and then Villa.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘I feel like Dean is my dad! I want over 20 goals and go to the Euros. That\u2019s what I want to do and are my goals. It\u2019s what im working towards but I know my club form has to be good.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘[The] Christmas period is tough, we have a lot of games in Europe and a few injuries but we have to keep ploughing away, it\u2019s not how you start, it\u2019s how you finish.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On his former player Smith remarked: ‘He\u2019s a great kid and well liked in the dressing room. He\u2019s selfless and that\u2019s what everyone likes about him.’\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Smith also spoke with current manager Unai Emery, who has transformed this Aston Villa side<\/p>\n
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Your browser does not support iframes.<\/p>\n