Gary Lineker has suggested Aston Villa goal-getter Ollie Watkins is the next best striker in the Premier League after Erling Haaland.
Watkins has been in superb form under Unai Emery in the last 12 months. After scoring 15 goals in the Premier League last term, Watkins has five goals and five assists from his 11 starts this season.
Emery has worked wonders with Watkins, who has forced his way into Gareth Southgate’s England squad. Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker poured more praise on Watkins.
Asked who he thinks the best striker in the league after Haaland is, Lineker said: “Now do we count people like Mo Salah as a striker? Probably not for this question. I would say Callum Wilson, (Ollie) Watkins.”
Lineker went on to throw Son Heung-min into the mix. The South Korean has shifted to centre-forward since Harry Kane left Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.
Lineker’s co-host Micah Richards added: “On form I would say Watkins. I still think he has got another level to go. I think he’s still snatching at things if I’m being really critical. I don’t like to talk about finishing when I’m not a striker, but I do believe that he has got another level to go where it becomes effortless for him.”
