Troy Deeney discusses Aston Villa striker and Leeds United star Patrick Bamford

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Troy Deeney has told TalkSPORT (Sunday, 3.50pm) that both Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford both deserve their plaudits – after Watkins was picked ahead of Bamford by England boss Gareth Southgate.

Bamford, 27, clocked up 20 goal involvements for the Premier League campaign on Friday evening in just his 29th league game – scoring his 14th and laying on his sixth assist as Leeds beat Fulham in London, ending a three-year hoodoo in the capital.

Despite that form, Southgate chose to pick Watkins – who has also enjoyed an excellent season but considerably less effective in front of goal. The £75k-a-week (Spotrac) Villa man has scored 10 goals in 28 games, laying on only three assists.

Deeney spoke about both strikers, comparing the duo after Southgate stated it was a close-run thing between the Leeds and Villa stars – eventually opting with the man that plays for one of his former clubs. He was full of praise for both.

“What a first season in the Premier League,” Deeney said, on Watkins. “His game has developed, he’s only going to get better. I’m a big fan of Bamford, does what it says on the tin – works hard, goals. For both to be in with a shout, what a good first season.”

TBR’s view – Did Southgate make the right call?

If we discuss purely stats, then of course, it is easy to say Southgate made the wrong call and that Bamford is the better choice over Watkins. But Watkins is physically stronger than Bamford and that might be why Southgate has picked him.

Watkins is probably not as intelligent as Bamford in his movement, and his finishing is more rash – but he is quicker, and has the versatility that allows him to play from out wide as well as up front. It is a close call, as Southgate says.