Ollie Watkins

[Astnor]

Felt for Watkins as he had a great opportunity when Cash fed him but he blazed over from inside the box.
I think it's on his mind the milestone of 20 goals and it impacted that finish.

Yes and I think last two games he WANT to score (himself ) a little bit too much.

[Dave]

I'm dubious that anyone that would want Ollie could afford him in the current climate. And that's if we even want to sell and he wants to leave.

My one (minor) concern is that he's probably the one player that turns this Arsenal team into title winners, and if they thought the same, they could probably rustle up the £120m that he's probably worth in the current market.

Beyond them, there's nowhere else he's going.

If they offered that sort of money, I think we'd take it.

I agree. That's why I picked that figure, as if they came asking it's what I expect we'd tell them he'd cost.

They paid £105m for Rice, so based on what Rice was giving West Ham and what Ollie gives us, it's hard to see why the figure I picked wouldn't be in the right ballpark.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Felt for Watkins as he had a great opportunity when Cash fed him but he blazed over from inside the box.
I think it's on his mind the milestone of 20 goals and it impacted that finish.

He was shocking today, worst I've seen him since the last time he was crap. He must be absolutely knackered having played I think almost every minute of every league game except four since he joined us. Today he couldn't trap a bag of cement, the ball just bounced off him and apart from the sitter at the end he wasted two good chances in the first half.

[VillaTim]

Couldn't trap a bag of wet cement today .

[Risso]

I’m think being on 19 goals is weighing heavy on him. Snatched dreadfully at that late chance.

[edgysatsuma89]

I’m think being on 19 goals is weighing heavy on him. Snatched dreadfully at that late chance.

Yeah, I think there might be a bit of that little added pressure. His "how have I not scored" in the much loved 'another one' video after Bournemouth was telling.

[PeterWithe]

He wasn't near his best, not sure if it was Chelsea's tactics or ours which neutered him. We hit far too many long balls right at him rather than into space. That's not a plan that's worked in the years he's been here so no surprise it didn't last night. Still could and should have had two goals.

[itbrvilla]

He wasn't near his best, not sure if it was Chelsea's tactics or ours which neutered him. We hit far too many long balls right at him rather than into space. That's not a plan that's worked in the years he's been here so no surprise it didn't last night. Still could and should have had two goals.

He looked like he was out wide quite a bit, not sure if deliberate or a consequence of their tactics.

[danno]

I’m think being on 19 goals is weighing heavy on him. Snatched dreadfully at that late chance.

Yeah, I think there might be a bit of that little added pressure. His "how have I not scored" in the much loved 'another one' video after Bournemouth was telling.

He does want it, but he showed real composure and maturity to lay on our second against Bournemouth rather than go for it himself. I think he snatches at things when he knows we’re up against it and not making enough chances for him.

[andyh]

Last week against Bournemouth was a masterclass in hold up play and control. Every single pass from any height and angle was controlled and dealt with, with precision.
He was unplayable and untouchable.

Last night he was like a Sunday morning pub player.

[Demitri_C]

Hahah give it a rest parker. Its not april 1st


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Man Utd told to snub Ivan Toney and sign 'best all-round centre-forward' in Premier League
Ivan Toney is expected to leave Brentford this summer but he is no longer the Premier League's hottest transfer property as Manchester United weigh up whether to bolster their attacking ranks

Ivan Toney is likely to be sold by Brentford this summer but his destination is unclear.
Ivan Toney is likely to be sold by Brentford this summer but his destination is unclear.(PA)
By Alan Smith
10:56, 30 Apr 2024UPDATED15:13, 30 Apr 2024
Manchester United should go all in for Ollie Watkins this summer and snub a move for Ivan Toney.


That is the view of former defender Paul Parker, who has claimed that the Aston Villa centre-forward is the best all round No9 in the Premier League. While Rasmus Hojlund has shown flashes of promise in his debut campaign at Old Trafford, despite injury issues, Parker thinks Sir Jim Ratcliffe should target another goalscorer as he begins his overhaul of the club.

Does Ivan Toney play as a centre-forward? Not really. He's trying to play more like a Harry Kane in that sense.

If you're going to bring a centre-forward in and you're going to keep him UK based, in my opinion you bring in Watkins. But he's going to cost you £100 million and deservedly at that. Ivan Toney, £25-30 million, but Watkins has proven his worth every time.”

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/man-utd-told-snub-ivan-32701869

[AV84]

I think he's correct with the Toney part. People had him with his choice of "top" club last summer, but he hasn't done much since coming back, and is probably not going to get the move he expected.

Man U could still do something stupid and try to sign another expensive striker but they'd be far better off just having a couple of midfielders who actually feed the young Hoijland lad up front. There's no way even Watkins scores a lot playing in front of a bunch of selfish players who won't pass the ball unless it's their last option.

[Demitri_C]

I think he's correct with the Toney part. People had him with his choice of "top" club last summer, but he hasn't done much since coming back, and is probably not going to get the move he expected.

Man U could still do something stupid and try to sign another expensive striker but they'd be far better off just having a couple of midfielders who actually feed the young Hoijland lad up front. There's no way even Watkins scores a lot playing in front of a bunch of selfish players who won't pass the ball unless it's their last option.

Oh i agree ollie definitely has more to his game than toney, but the arrogance of these people like parker that they think they can just cherry pick our players like they did with yorke. Those days are over.

They would have to make a stupid off offer in excess of 100m for us to even get to the negotiation table

[LeeB]

And of course a player that will turn 29 this year who's spent his whole career working his way to the top will happily chuck the chance to play in the Champions League away for the chance to chase errant long balls from Harry Maguire or marvel at just how much they spunked on Anthony at first hand.

[Rigadon]

And of course a player that will turn 29 this year who's spent his whole career working his way to the top will happily chuck the chance to play in the Champions League away for the chance to chase errant long balls from Harry Maguire or marvel at just how much they spunked on Anthony at first hand.

There will be a queue (albeit short based on the absolute mountain of cash it would take) for Watkins this summer.  But the thought of him going there given their current state and lack of CL would be very surprising.  If I squint, I can see Arsenal as potentially realistic if the fee was ridiculous - £120m as per Dave's post above would be too big a fee to turn down, and a bit like when Coutinho left Liverpool, might be right for all concerned.

If we ended up finishing 5th I think it'd be more likely he'd leave.