Ollie Watkins is making Tuchel sweat

Ollie Watkins just dropped a masterclass against Brentford, netting two goals that screamed for attention. If Thomas Tuchel wasn't watching the tape, he is failing at his new job before the first whistle even blows. The Aston Villa striker isn't just poaching goals; he is playing with a level of urgency that makes the rest of the Three Lions depth chart look like they are sleepwalking.

Watkins is relentless. He tracks back, he drags defenders to the corner flags, and he finishes with the clinical precision of a guy who knows Euro 2026 is right around the corner. He told reporters point-blank he is hungry to prove he belongs among the starters. That isn't just athlete-speak—it is a direct challenge to the established order.

The striker dilemma

England has a habit of getting cute with lineups. We have seen Harry Kane operate as a creative hub, and while that works when he drops deep, it exposes the team if there is no secondary threat crashing the box. Watkins presents a different look. He is quicker, he is more vertical, and he exploits gaps in high defensive lines that Kane is too stationary to attack.

However, let's address the elephant in the room. Watkins occasionally disappears in high-stakes matches where the midfield gets overrun. Against the best heavyweights in Europe, his touch can falter when he is isolated. If he wants that spot, he needs to show he can produce without constant service from the likes of John McGinn feeding him pristine balls through the channels.

Tuchel’s first big test

With Aston Villa news swirling around his potential exit or a big-money contract extension, Watkins remains focused on the pitch. This is the exact kind of professional maturity that managers drool over. He is not letting the rumor mill distract him from his output.

Tuchel needs to decide if he wants a system player or a game-breaker. Watkins is currently forcing his hand. He is netting goals at a clip that makes omitting him from the starting eleven a fireable offense in the eyes of the supporters. The total tally for the season—24 goals across all competitions—is impossible to ignore.

We have seen this movie before. A player catches fire, the national team manager tinkers, and then everyone complains once the tournament gets underway. I would rather see England gamble on a guy in form than stick with a past-his-prime name brand just because of history. Tuchel needs to be brave.

The clock to June is ticking. Players like Watkins don't wait for invitations. If he keeps putting balls in the back of the net twice per match, the decision won't be made in a boardroom; it will be forced by the sheer volume of his production. He is hungry, he is loud on the stat sheet, and frankly, England needs that grit.