Ollie Watkins has described his omission from England's March training camp as a 'blessing in disguise', claiming the setback ignited a remarkable run of form that ultimately secured his place for the 2026 World Cup.
The Aston Villa striker was left out of Thomas Tuchel's squad for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, but responded by scoring 11 goals in his next 12 games. That prolific spell helped Villa win the Europa League and secure a top-four Premier League finish.
Reflecting on the period, Watkins said: 'Sometimes, when something gets taken away from you, you realise how important it is, and it gives you that fire in your belly to come back and show people what you can do.'
The 30-year-old acknowledged the competition for places, particularly with Ivan Toney as an alternative to Harry Kane. 'I think it's good, me and Ivan are different players, and you need that versatility,' he said.
Watkins added: 'Everyone's got a part to play in this competition... we're all working together as a team to achieve something special.'
