‘I’d pick Watkins over Haaland’ - Former Liverpool defender questions Man City striker

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has disclosed that he would rather have Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins than Manchester City man Erling Haaland. 

Haaland won the Golden Boot in his debut season in the Premier League, notching 36 goals as Pep Guardiola’s troops claimed a historic treble.

The Norwegian has not quite hit the same heights in his second season at the Etihad, even if he leads the goalscoring charts with 25 goals in 29 appearances (27 starts). 

Regardless, the Sky Sports pundit has pointed out a flaw in the striker’s game that would see him take Watkins over the Premier League’s top scorer. 

The Villa striker has taken his game to a higher level under Unai Emery’s management, scoring 15 times at the end of last season and hitting 19 goals in his first full year under the Spanish boss. 

Watkins’ 13 assists outdo every player in England’s top division, with Cole Palmer and Mohamed Salah three behind, and his total direct involvements before goals are 32, one more than Palmer. 

Carragher opted for the 28-year-old Englishman over Haaland in his Premier League Team of the Year on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, questioning the Man City’s forward impact in the big games. 

"The reason I'd go for Watkins over Haaland is there's not much difference in the numbers, he's playing for Aston Villa over Man City,” said the former Liverpool defender on Sky Sports.

"When I think of Haaland this season, we know he's the best striker - we get that. But this season, in the biggest games, I've been slightly disappointed, even in the Champions League. 

"Also the games with Arsenal and Liverpool, I think the real elite defenders have got the better of him."

Haaland is expected to win this season’s Golden Boot unless Palmer (21) and Alexander Isak (20) outdo the forward in the next two games, as Man City aim to claim a fourth consecutive Premier League title. 

Watkins (19) is six behind Haaland, and the forward missed the chance to close the gap in Monday night’s 3-3 draw with Liverpool.

Aston Villa could have Champions League qualification assured if Guardiola’s men avoid defeat in Tuesday’s game at Tottenham Hotspur.