Are Dream Team managers sleeping on Ollie Watkins this season?
OLLIE WATKINS (£5.2m) was a top-tier Dream Team asset last season.
The Aston Villa striker was widely selected throughout 2023/24 as he racked up 24 goals in all competitions (27 including the Conference League qualifying play-off) but he has not enjoyed the same level of popularity this season.
Watkins started the campaign slowly having rejoined his club team-mates late following England’s run to the Euro 2024 final.
In fact, his minutes have dipped considerably this term because of Jhon Duran’s (£2.9m) playing time push.
The England and Colombia forwards have played in tandem from time to time but Unai Emery generally replaces one with the other when making changes in the second half.
Dream Team managers are understandably hesitant to back players who frequently depart the pitch with half an hour remaining but it might be time to review Watkins’ viability.
The 29-year-old has banked 45 points in his last five outings in a productive spell that has featured three goals and three assists.
There’s no doubt he benefited from Duran’s recent suspension but Emery will not have failed to notice the positive impact Watkins’ performances have had on the Villains’ results.
Some Dream Team bosses may be surprised to learn that Watkins actually boasts a better strike rate this season compared to 2023/24 in the Premier League.
Last season, he averaged a goal every 169.8 minutes whereas he’s rattling along at a rate of one every 154 minutes this term.
However, he’s lagging in terms of European points this season, a reflection of the fact Villa have upgraded from the Conference League to the Champions League.
Emery’s side are currently fifth out of 36 in the Champions League table and therefore well placed to secure an automatic spot in the round of 16.
They’re due to face Monaco on Tuesday before hosting Celtic in Gameweek 21, with a Premier League fixture against West Ham sandwiched in between.
While well down on last season, Watkins’ current ownership of 12.9% is far from negligible – he’s the fourth most popular forward at the time of writing.
But is he still being overlooked by too many?
The news of Dominic Solanke’s (£4.3m) injury has left a sizeable chunk of gaffers in need of a replacement up top.
Elsewhere, Alexander Isak (£6.3m) has been in prolific form of late but Newcastle’s lack of European commitments means he has just one fixture to fulfil in Gameweek 21.
Granted, it’s a favourable match-up against Southampton but, generally speaking, two fixtures are better than one.
One possible tactic is to back Watkins for Gameweek 21 (vs West Ham and Celtic) and then replace him for Isak in Gameweek 22 (vs Fulham and Arsenal) to squeeze the schedule for all its worth.
At the very least, Watkins should be monitored closely amid a sharp upturn in form.
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