Former England captain Wayne Rooney has publicly expressed his surprise at manager Thomas Tuchel's decision to overlook Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins for the upcoming international fixtures.
Rooney's Verdict on Villa and Watkins
Speaking after Aston Villa's emphatic 4-0 victory over Bournemouth on Sunday, Rooney was full of praise for the team's resurgence under Unai Emery. He highlighted their energy and brilliant run of form after a poor start to the season.
However, the former Manchester United star swiftly turned his attention to the international selection. "I am slightly surprised Thomas Tuchel has left Ollie Watkins out of the England squad," Rooney told the BBC. He commended Watkins's performance against Bournemouth, noting his excellent work rate and that he was unlucky not to score.
Injury History and Current Form
This snub comes after Watkins was forced to withdraw from the previous England squad last month. He had scored in the 3-0 friendly win against Wales but sustained an injury after colliding with a goalpost.
While Tuchel initially stated the striker was "okay," Watkins returned to his club for rehabilitation. The current campaign has been challenging for the 29-year-old, who has managed just one goal in 11 Premier League appearances so far.
England's Comfortable Position
The omission occurs as England prepares for its final 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Serbia and Albania. Under Tuchel, the team is under little pressure, having already secured its place in next summer's tournament.
England sits proudly at the top of Group K with a perfect record of six wins from six games. They are set to face Serbia at Wembley on Thursday, November 13th, before travelling to face Albania at the Arena Kombetare on Sunday, November 16th.
Despite the squad already including attacking talents like Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, and Jarrod Bowen, Rooney's comments suggest that Watkins's club contributions, particularly his recent display, warranted a second look from the national team boss.
