In the world of football, the timing of decisions often dictates success. David Pleat, a former manager and long-serving scout for Tottenham Hotspur, recently shared his thoughts on a missed opportunity that could have significantly altered the course of the club’s history. Pleat revealed that he had recommended Ollie Watkins to Tottenham years before the striker became one of the Premier League’s most feared forwards.
Today, Ollie Watkins is widely regarded as one of the top strikers in English football. His goalscoring prowess has been instrumental in Aston Villa’s recent successes, including their impressive qualification for the Champions League last season. Watkins’ remarkable rise to prominence has seen him become a regular in the England national team and a key figure in the Premier League. However, Pleat recalls a time when the North London club had the chance to sign Watkins for a fraction of his current value, back when he was still plying his trade in the lower leagues.
Pleat, who has had a long association with Tottenham, was working as a consultant and scout for the club during the early stages of Watkins’ career. He revealed that he had first noticed Watkins during his time at Exeter City, where the young player was making a name for himself in League Two. Interestingly, Watkins was not always the center-forward we know today. According to Pleat, the future England international was originally a box-to-box midfielder, showcasing a different set of skills than the clinical finishing he is now famous for.
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Recalling his first impressions of Watkins, Pleat shared, “I was interested in Ollie Watkins when he was at Exeter. This was long before he became a striker. Back then, he was more of a box-to-box midfielder, playing with a lot of energy and dynamism. With the guidance of his coaches, Paul Tisdale and Steve Perryman, he was developing into a well-rounded player. That’s when I really wanted him to come to Spurs.”
At the time, Watkins’ potential was evident, even though he was playing in a lower league. Pleat believed that with the right development and opportunities, Watkins could have become a valuable asset for Tottenham. However, the club ultimately decided not to pursue the player, and in the summer of 2017, Watkins moved to Brentford, then a Championship side, for a modest fee.
Brentford’s manager at the time, Dean Smith, played a crucial role in Watkins’ development. Under Smith’s guidance, Watkins transitioned from being a versatile midfielder to a prolific forward. However, even at Brentford, Watkins did not immediately step into the role of a central striker. Pleat pointed out that Watkins initially played in wider positions or as a midfielder, utilizing his energy and work rate to impact games from different areas of the pitch.
“When Ollie went to Brentford, he didn’t play up front at all,” Pleat explained. “He was wide left or in midfield, where his energy was an asset. But he never showed the ability to play as a striker until later on. However, Dean Smith took a chance on him, recognizing his potential to excel as a forward.”
That gamble paid off handsomely for Brentford and, later, for Aston Villa. After impressing in the Championship, Watkins secured a big-money move to Aston Villa, reuniting with Smith, who had since taken over at Villa Park. The transfer, valued at around £28 million, proved to be a masterstroke, as Watkins quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s top marksmen. His goals played a vital role in Villa’s resurgence, helping the club compete at the highest level and even surpassing Tottenham in the race for Champions League football.
Reflecting on Tottenham’s decision not to sign Watkins when they had the chance, Pleat expressed some regret but also offered a nuanced perspective. He acknowledged that while missing out on Watkins was unfortunate, it was not necessarily a catastrophic error for Spurs. The context of the club’s situation at the time played a significant role in their decision-making process.
“In hindsight, of course, it’s easy to say that we should have signed Watkins,” Pleat said. “But we had Harry Kane leading the line at the time. If Watkins had come to Spurs, he would have been playing second fiddle to Kane, and there’s no guarantee he would have developed in the same way. Sometimes, players need the right environment and the right opportunities to flourish. Brentford and Villa gave Watkins those opportunities, and he has thrived.”
Indeed, Watkins’ journey is a testament to the importance of timing, opportunity, and the right fit between a player and a club. While Tottenham fans may lament the fact that Watkins is now scoring goals for a rival, it’s important to consider the context. At the time, Tottenham was building their attack around Harry Kane, one of the best strikers in the world. Adding another forward with similar aspirations might not have been feasible, both in terms of squad dynamics and Watkins’ own development.
Ultimately, football is full of such “what if” scenarios. For every missed opportunity, there are countless other decisions that have shaped the club’s history in ways that fans can only speculate about. In this case, while Tottenham missed out on a player who has become one of the Premier League’s standout performers, the club’s focus at the time was on maximizing the potential of their existing squad, particularly Kane.
As Watkins continues to excel for Aston Villa and establish himself as a key player for both club and country, it’s clear that he has found the right path for his career. Meanwhile, Tottenham has also continued to evolve, with new players and strategies coming to the fore as the club navigates the ever-changing landscape of the Premier League.
David Pleat’s revelation about Ollie Watkins serves as a fascinating insight into the world of football scouting and decision-making. While it’s tempting to dwell on what might have been, the reality is that football is full of such sliding doors moments. For Tottenham, the focus now is on the future and ensuring that they continue to compete at the highest level, with or without the players who slipped through their grasp