England forward Ollie Watkins compares the Three Lions to Real Madrid ahead of Sunday’s Euro 2024 final against Spain.
England forward Ollie Watkins has compared the Three Lions to Real Madrid when it comes to their ability to win matches without playing their best football.
Real Madrid lifted their 15th European Cup last season despite not being at their best in the latter stages of the competition, with the Spanish outfit finding a way to navigate through difficult ties.
England, meanwhile, have been criticised for their overall performance level at Euro 2024, but they have managed to progress to Sunday’s final against Spain.
Watkins came off the bench to score a last-gasp winner against Netherlands in the semi-finals last time out, and the Aston Villa forward has said that England are showing similar signs to Real Madrid.
“You see someone like Real Madrid in a Champions League game: they are comfortable without the ball, they have that confidence that when they get the ball they are going to score,” Watkins told reporters.
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England will tackle Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2024 final
“I feel like it is the same here. We are definitely hard to beat, then we just need that one chance and we can win the game. It doesn’t matter if we are playing poorly or if players are having an off day, we still have that world-class talent where we can pop up and get that goal.”
Watkins was also full of praise for Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, claiming that the Englishman deserves to win this year’s Ballon d’Or.
“Whatever happens, Jude should win the Ballon d’Or,” the Villa forward added. “The way he plays with such maturity, confidence, aura, I can’t speak any more highly of him.
“To see him transition from where he was … I played against him when he was at Birmingham [City] and, even then, you’d have thought he was a seasoned pro.
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Watkins backs Bellingham to win Ballon d’Or
“I remember being in one of my earlier [England] camps, I think he was 16 at the time and he still had confidence about him. It’s no surprise to see what he’s gone on and done.”
Bellingham has scored twice for England at Euro 2024, including their first goal at this summer’s competition against Serbia on June 16.
The 21-year-old then netted a spectacular overhead kick against Slovakia in the round of 16 to level the scores at 1-1 in the 95th minute, before Harry Kane won it for the Three Lions early in extra-time.
England will now be aiming to secure their first-ever European Championship title when they take on three-time winners Spain in the final of the competition on Sunday night.
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