A Premier League centurion, former Spurs, Liverpool and England striker, Peter Crouch, knows a thing or two about scoring goals.
Famous for his legendary robot celebration, Crouchy has proved he is anything but with his endearing personality and punditry post-career and has now moved to offer his best advice to another England goalscorer.
Southampton striker Danny Ings has been linked with the likes of Crouch’s former side Tottenham, with his contract expiring in 2022 and ambitions of continental football.
The 28-year-old has scored seven times for Saints so far this season, bringing his Premier League total up to 50, as well as getting a first Three Lions goal in October last year.
Speaking to BT Sport, though, Crouch said: “Could he play in a Champions League side? Without doubt.
“But Southampton will want to keep him because he really is their talisman. I think they really miss him when he doesn’t play.
Peter Crouch believes there is ‘no doubt’ Ings can play in a Champions League team
“He had the opportunity at Liverpool. The only reason it didn’t work out for him was injury. So of course, he’ll perhaps want to play at the top, top-level because there’s no doubt he can do. But listen, the grass isn’t always greener.”
Ings will know the grass isn’t always greener after he made just 14 appearances in an injury-riddled spell with Liverpool, but wanting to try his arm once again at the upper reaches of English football is no surprise.
Crouch did go on to add that he backs the former Burnley man to perform, saying: “[But] I think he’d be a superb acquisition for anyone. He could be fantastic as a squad player. I think he could lead the line for quite a few of those top teams.”
Manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has guided Saints to 10th in the top-flight so far in the season, as well as briefly topping the division for the first time in 32 years back in November.
Ings has played a huge part in that progress, after hitting 22 goals last term which no doubt helped keep the Hampshire side in the top-20 altogether.
