Why Crystal Palace should plot a summer swoop for Ollie Watkins

Back in August 2019, Daily Mail had claimed that Crystal Palace made an £11million bid for Brentford star Ollie Watkins. However, no deal materialized before the start of the season.

Ollie Watkins, 24, joined Brentford from Exeter City in the summer of 2017 after impressing in the lower leagues of English football. He has since established himself as one of the best players in the Championship, scoring 10 goals and providing four assists in the 2017-18 season and finding the net 10 times and providing 8 assists last season.

The 24-year-old has been an integral part of Brentford’s rise to fifth in the Championship table and just two points behind second-placed Leeds United in the race for the automatic promotion places. He has scored 20 goals in 31 league games, with his most recent strike helping his side beat Middlesbrough 3-2 on Saturday.

Having said that, Crystal Palace must rekindle their interest in Watkins when the transfer window opens in the summer.

The Eagles are without a win in 2020 and possessing the worst goalscoring record in the Premier League. They were beaten 3-1 at Everton on Saturday – a third successive defeat for Roy Hodgson’s side, leaving them just six points above the drop zone.

Palace’s toothless attack has played a significant role in that dramatic drop-off in form. Hodgson’s men have managed just 23 goals in 26 games – the joint-worst record in the Premier League alongside Watford. Jordan Ayew has led the Eagles’ attack very well this campaign and the club signing Cenk Tosun on loan from Everton last month, Hodgson’s side still lacks a prolific goalscorer in their ranks.

While Hodgson will have to change the fortunes of his side with the resources he has at his disposal until the end of the season, signing a clinical striker should be prioritised by the veteran English manager in the summer. To that end, Ollie Watkins would be a good fit at Selhurst Park.

Read More

• Why Crystal Palace should make a move for Hull’s Jarrod Bowen
• Why Crystal Palace should sign Norwich City’s Jamal Lewis
• Why Crystal Palace must go for full-back Nathan Ferguson in the summer

Watkins’ form for Brentford this season has proven that he has the tools to succeed. A tally of 20 goals and three assists in 31 outings has made him one of the best players in the Championship – as he shines alongside Said Benrahma and Bryan Mbuemo.

The Torquay-born forward is versatile in that he can play on the wing or as a striker, although he has largely been deployed through the middle this campaign.

Verdict

Watkins is a quality forward who has the required attributes to thrive in the English top-flight. Hence, Palace must do everything possible to secure his signature.