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

Liverpool legend Michael Owen has urged England striker Ollie Watkins to abandon his overly courteous approach on the field and adopt a more ruthless, aggressive style for the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Owen said Watkins performs best when he plays with an edge, becoming a real 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 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.”

Watkins has emerged as one of Aston Villa’s most prolific strikers in recent years.

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He has just finished his sixth season with the club, surpassing 100 goals in all competitions. Known for his pace, work rate, and clinical finishing, Watkins has been a consistent driving force for the Villans.

His most productive campaign saw him score 21 goals across all competitions, and his spring form helped Villa secure major silverware, including their historic UEFA Europa League triumph.