Ollie Watkins reveals all about life on England camp

Having made his England debut in March 2021, Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins knows what camp life is all about.

But do you know how he spends his time away from the pitch on camp or his favourite album to listen to in the build-up to a game?

The Three Lions forward answers the all-important questions in our camp life quiz.

What is one essential item you’re packing in your suitcase for a camp?

One essential item has got to be my toothbrush!

What about one luxury item?

I’m probably going with my iPad. I’m more of a series man. I start a lot of series, but I don’t finish them. I’m watching Lioness right now.

How do you like to spend your down-time on camp?

I watch series, play a bit of UNO, have a little coffee. There is a card school but sometimes, there’s too many new rules that are getting brought in from different clubs and stuff like that. The lads like a bit of UNO.

Who would you sit next to on a plane or bus journey to an England game?

Dean Henderson because I’m close with him and he’s probably the only normal goalkeeper that I know that’s not crazy. Our personalities match and we just get on well.

What kind of character or personality would you say you are within the group and how would your team-mates describe you?

They’d probably say I’m quite quiet and reserved but maybe outside of football, I’m completely different to that. I’m just not loud.

What is your favourite meal to eat on camp?

There’s a good chicken wrap that the chef does with sweet chilli sauce and Perinaise, so it’s like a Nando’s wrap.

What is your favourite part of training?

My favourite part is probably small-sided games or some finishing drills. The rondos are always good fun at the start of training, but it just depends if I’m half-asleep or not because I could find myself in the middle, especially with the quality of the players that are here.

Talk us through your pre-match routine.

I normally just relax and listen to music. I normally have a speaker that I bring and play some music in my room. I try and focus on what I’m going to bring to the game and picture and manifest how I want the game to go. A little bit of stretching and that’s it.

What kind of music do you listen to before a game?

The closer it gets to kick-off, I like to listen to heavier hip-hop, so 50 Cent and his old school Get Rich or Die Tryin' album or Rick Ross – something like that.

Talk us through your post-match routine.

Post-match, I normally have a protein shake, an ice bath, sometimes I have gym work that I have to do and then other times, I get a massage of my legs and just doing all I can to recover as quick as possible for the next game or next training session.

What is your favourite thing about being on camp?

I think each time, it’s different. There’s always a new player that comes in or something. No camp is ever the same.

Obviously to get to play against other national teams – some of the best teams in the world – and you get to travel the world and you get to play at Wembley.

To get to put on an England shirt, not many people get to do that. There’s 21 people picked into the squad, so it’s fine margins to get to and doing that is always an honour.

How would you sum up pulling on an England shirt and representing your country?

It’s really special. Not many people get the opportunity to do it and you never know when it’s going to be your last time. You have to just enjoy the moment and appreciate every minute.

What is your favourite moment during your England career?

My favourite moment is definitely the Holland goal. There’s nothing better than that, to be honest.

I can remember Jude Bellingham saying to me a couple of minutes before I scored, ‘if you get the ball near the box, be greedy and just shoot’. I’ve turned and I’ve hit it perfectly into the bottom corner.

I knew I was going to do it but when it actually happened, I was shocked because I’d said before to Cole that was I was going to do that and then it happened and I think you can’t prepare for anything like that.

With two World Cup qualifiers coming up, what is your favourite memory of watching England in the World Cup?

David Beckham’s free-kick against Greece to send England to the World Cup or the 2010 World Cup. I remember Lampard’s goal when it when it went over the line.

Just the whole buzz around watching England when the nation comes together. There’s been times when I’ve been in the pub with my friends and had an England shirt and fast forward a few years, I’m here playing for England and get to experience a different side of it.

What is one piece of advice your younger self would’ve given you now you’re in this position, playing for England?

I’d say you’re closer than you think, keep working hard and good things are around the corner.