Rio Ferdinand claims ‘magnificent’ Ollie Watkins is going toe-to-toe with Man City’s Erling Haaland
‘He’s been sitting alongside Erling Haaland since the World Cup!’: Rio Ferdinand claims ‘magnificent’ Ollie Watkins comes face to face with Man City’s goalscoring machine – and says Aston Villa star MUST be in next England team
- The attacker scored twice as Aston Villa won 3-0 against Newcastle United
- Watkins scored Villa’s second with a sharp hit on the turn from the point blank
- The 27-year-old scored his eleventh goal in his last twelve games six minutes before the end
Rio Ferdinand has claimed that ‘magnificent’ Ollie Watkins will take on Man City’s goalscoring machine Erling Haaland.
The striker, 27, scored twice as Aston Villa won 3-0 against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Watkins scored Villa’s second with a sharp hit on the turn from point-blank range in the 64th minute.
He grabbed his 11th goal in his last 12 games six minutes from time with a simple finish on the back post.
The former Manchester United defender also said the Villa star should be in England’s next squad.
Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Ollie Watkins is face to face with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland
The former Man United defender also said the Villa star should be in England’s next squad
Ferdinand, 44, said: ‘He couldn’t have done much more at all. He was magnificent.
“Speaking from a defender’s point of view, if you asked me who you would choose from Isak, Wilson and Watkins, Watkins would give you a hard day’s work.
He asks you all the questions a defender doesn’t want. Are you willing to encounter areas that you are not comfortable with? Are you willing to match him physically?
“He’s already moving, he’s brave, he always takes the ball, he’s not afraid to make mistakes and he also has a humility in the way he plays.”
“I think he’s a fantastic player,” Ferdinand continued. “I mentioned his journey coming from the lower leagues up through the ranks to this position, he feels like it’s a privilege to play at this level.
“He works hard, he’s a very diligent, meticulous young man, and he’s always striving to get better.”
Ferdinand added: “In form, he can’t not be in the England squad. He has been sitting next to Haaland since the World Cup.
“That tells you the level, those are just crazy numbers. If he doesn’t come in, I wonder who’s coming in above him.’
Haaland is on track to break league records, having already scored 45 goals in 39 games
Haaland is on course to break league records this season, having already scored 45 goals in 39 games in all competitions for Pep Guardiola’s men.