Man United urged to sign Premier League striker with 15 goals and 10 assists this season who is often compared to Rashford
Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot has pushed for Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea—three of the biggest teams in the Premier League—to acquire Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins. Melchiot acknowledged Watkins’ skill on the pitch and underlined that the England international’s ability to score goals makes him a vital asset for the league’s elite teams.
With 15 goals and 10 assists in all competitions this season, Watkins has made a significant contribution to Aston Villa’s remarkable play and their quest for a top-four finish under manager Unai Emery.
Rasmus Hojlund, a gifted youngster, was signed by Manchester United in the summer, but Melchiot thought the Red Devils would be better off adding Watkins, an experienced Premier League player, given Hojlund’s delayed adjustment to life in the top division.
Melchiot showed his love for Watkins in an exclusive chat with Ladbrokes Fanzone, pointing out the striker’s growth as a late bloomer at the highest level of football. Melchiot continued, stating that any of the three clubs—Manchester United, Arsenal, or Chelsea—would find it “no-brainer” to recruit Watkins, highlighting the importance of having a goal-scoring player in each side.
Top teams sometimes prioritise the immediate impact of new acquisitions, which could lead them to miss players like Watkins who may require some time to completely adjust to the challenges of higher level competition, as Melchiot pointed out. But he contended that Watkins could meet the need that all three teams shared: a prolific striker who can regularly reach the back of the goal.
Melchiot’s proposal essentially centres on acknowledging Watkins as a key asset, especially when it comes to meeting the common requirement for a goal-scoring presence in the teams of Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United.
The former Chelsea defender’s observations highlight the potential value Watkins could have for these elite teams and cast doubt on the idea that a player’s ability to make an impact right away should be the only factor considered when choosing a transfer target.
