Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has revealed that being dropped by England manager Thomas Tuchel in March was a 'blessing in disguise' that ultimately secured his place in the squad for this summer's World Cup. The 29-year-old was left out of the final two friendlies before the tournament, but responded by scoring six goals in his last five games for Villa.
Watkins admitted the snub reignited his determination. 'Sometimes when something gets taken away from you, you realise how important it is and it puts fire in your belly,' he said. 'It was a case of proving to myself what I could do. The manager always had faith in me, so it is nice I could repay him with the performances and goals.'
The forward finished the domestic season with a Europa League winners' medal after Villa's triumph in the final. He believes that momentum will carry into the World Cup. 'There is nothing better to come into the England camp on the back of a strong end to the season,' Watkins added. 'Everything I have pictured and imagined has come into place.'
Watkins, speaking at England's training base in Florida, said he feels in the best physical condition of his career. 'I feel like, physically, I am the best I have ever been and my form in front of goal is really good at the moment,' he said. 'Everyone has got a part to play in this competition whether it is early stages or latter stages.'
