Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has backed star striker Danny Welbeck to earn an England recall – seven years on from his last appearance for his country.
Welbeck, 34, has scored five goals in nine Premier League games for Brighton this season as he continues to lead the line for Hurzeler’s side, who are 13th in the league table.
He hasn’t played for England since the third-place play-off defeat by Belgium at the 2018 World Cup, and there have been no signs that he is close to a recall under Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel’s countryman Hurzeler, 32, though, insists his player is ready if called upon.
‘I have the big belief that Danny Welbeck is able to play for England,’ German Hurzeler said in his press conference ahead of Brighton’s game against Leeds this weekend.
‘I asked the question of the squad if they think Danny Welbeck and play for England and they all agreed, so that was the only time we mentioned it. Let’s see what happens.
‘But I will try to emphasise that England has a great coach and he will make the right decisions.’
England’s current No 9 is captain Harry Kane, and he would prove to be hard to shift from his starting spot given his sensational form for Bayern Munich.
As a result, Welbeck, who has 42 senior caps and 16 goals for England, would likely have to settle for a backup role in the squad.
In Tuchel’s last squad, Ollie Watkins played the supporting role to Kane, while Marcus Rashford was also included, who can play centrally. The likes of Ivan Toney and Dominic Solanke have also been involved in recent squads.
Tuchel has spoken openly about trying to build a relationship in the squad, so it feels like now or never for Welbeck to stake his claim for a spot at the summer’s World Cup.
England’s next game will take place on November 13, when they will host Serbia in a World Cup qualifier, with Tuchel set to name his squad for the camp next week.
