Ollie Watkins to Lead England Against Wales With Kane Absent
England’s head coach Thomas Tuchel is preparing to name Ollie Watkins as the primary striker in the upcoming friendly against Wales. This match, scheduled for Thursday night at Wembley, marks a significant opportunity for Watkins, as he has not started for the national team since November.
Watkins to Replace Kane Against Wales
The absence of English captain Harry Kane, due to a foot injury sustained while playing for Bayern Munich, opens the door for Watkins. Although Kane aims to return for the World Cup qualifier against Latvia on Tuesday, his unavailability allows Watkins to step up as the central forward.
Background on Ollie Watkins
Watkins, a 29-year-old striker for Aston Villa, debuted for England in March 2021 and has been a consistent presence in the squad. His last start came during a 3-1 Nations League victory over Greece, where he scored under interim manager Lee Carsley. More recently, Watkins scored a crucial last-minute goal during the semi-final of Euro 2024, aiding England’s progression to the final against Spain, which ended in a 2-1 defeat.
Current Form and Team Leadership
Despite a challenging start to the season with Aston Villa, Watkins has netted a goal in a 3-1 win against Fulham. In Kane’s absence, Declan Rice, the 26-year-old Arsenal midfielder, is set to captain the national team. Rice was identified by Tuchel as a leadership option along with Jordan Henderson and John Stones.
- Match: England vs. Wales
- Date: Thursday night
- Location: Wembley Stadium
- England Captain: Harry Kane (injured)
- Replacement Striker: Ollie Watkins
- Acting Captain: Declan Rice
This friendly match represents a moment of potential for Watkins, as he aims to establish his place in the national lineup while contributing to England’s current campaign.
