2026 World Cup: Watkins Must Be Ruthless On The Pitch For England –Owen

Liverpool legend Michael Owen has advised Ollie Watkins to shed his overly nice attitude on the pitch and play with a ruthless, aggressive edge for England at the 2026 World Cup.

In a chat with Daily Mail, Owen stressed that Watkins is at his absolute best when he plays aggressively, making him a true nightmare for defenders.

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“So, what’s the secret to unlocking Ollie? The problem with him – and I tell him this all the time – is that he’s too nice,” Owen wrote in his Daily Mail column.

“He’s the nicest man in the world! To be a top centre-forward, and truly rip the guts out of your opponents, which you have to want to do, you’ve got to be a bit horrible on the pitch.

“You’ve got to be ruthless. You’ve got to have an edge. Off the pitch, you can be lovely, and he is. But when you cross the line, you’ve got to be brutally clinical.”

Ollie Watkins has established himself as one of the most prolific strikers in Aston Villa’s recent history.

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He recently completed his sixth season at the club, breaking the 100-goal milestone in all competitions. Known for his pace, work rate, and clinical finishing, he has been a consistent driving force for the Villans.

Watkins enjoyed one of his most productive campaigns, netting 21 goals in all competitions. His red-hot form in the spring propelled Villa to major silverware, highlighted by their historic UEFA Europa League victory.