Chelsea-linked Euro 2024 star urged by Premier League legend to stay where he is
Former Trinidadian and Tobagonian footballer Dwight Yorke recently made a brave suggestion to Aston Villa’s star striker, Ollie Watkins.
The 52-year-old, who scored 123 goals in the Premier League in 375 appearances, spoke to BoyleSports about the England international’s future, and suggested that he could do a lot worse than staying at Villa Park for the coming season.
“For Ollie Watkins, I would advise him to stay at Aston Villa and carry on doing what he has been doing. If [Man] United were still dominating then it would be an easy decision but right now I don’t think he would enjoy his time there as much.
“At Aston Villa in the Champions League, I think he will enjoy himself a lot more. He’s the top man there at Villa. That status when you go to Manchester United is taken away from you.
“You’ve got to earn the right there which means starting all over again. United are also not in the Champions League. So it’s kind of a no brainer at the moment.
“When I left Villa they weren’t in the Champions League, but Manchester United were. So then it was an easy transition for that. it’s on the flip side of things now.”
Yorke on Watkins’ future, as quoted by Football London.
Watkins was one of the best players in the Premier League last season as his all-round play up front helped Aston Villa sensationally qualify for this season’s Champions League. He further boosted his chances of a big-money move in the summer by scoring England’s last-minute winner against the Netherlands in their Euro 2024 semi-final tie.
Valued by Transfermarkt at €65 million, Watkins scored 27 goals and provided 13 assists in 53 games across all competitions last season.
Watkins’ current Villa contract, fetching him £130,000 per week, runs until June 2028. Chelsea, Arsenal, and Man United are the ones heavily linked with him in recent weeks.
The suggestion Yorke makes for Watkins is bold but not brash. Villa have never played the Champions League, at least since its rebrand in 1992, and could usher in a new era for themselves as the flagship European competition itself undergoes a revamp.
Representing Villa in the Champions League will be huge, especially when you consider that the likes of United and Chelsea cannot offer Watkins that. But, when you keep in mind that he is 28, comes from a family of Arsenal fans and is a Gooner himself, it becomes easier to understand why he may want to make a move this summer.
Chelsea could of course benefit from Watkins’ services in the here and now, but they will need to throw a fair bit of money Villa’s way in order to manage that.
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