Danny Welbeck’s chances of playing at this summer’s World Cup are reportedly still alive.
The Brighton star has enjoyed another sensational campaign on the south coast, scoring 13 goals in all competitions and playing an instrumental role in the Seagulls getting their season back on track in recent weeks.
As a result, eyebrows were raised when Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel overlooked Welbeck when naming his squad for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, despite the veteran being the highest-scoring Englishman in the Premier League.
Instead, Leeds’ Dominic Calvert-Lewis and Tottenham forward Dominic Solanke were called up as alternative options to Harry Kane, leading many to assume that the Brighton talisman does not feature in England’s plans this summer.
However, TEAMtalk reports that this is not the case, with Welbeck remaining ‘firmly’ in Tuchel’s thinking, along with four other strikers.
It is claimed that the former Chelsea boss did not feel that there was any need to include the 35-year-old in his squad as he is already ‘fully aware of what he offers on and off the pitch’.
Thus, Tuchel felt that Welbeck’s time over the next few weeks would be best spent ensuring that he is in ‘prime condition ahead of a potential call-up’ and preparing for the final few months of the campaign.
The report adds that Welbeck’s recent omission does not ‘diminish his chances’ of making the final England squad in May, a stance that Tuchel s said to have made clear behind the scenes.
The former Manchester United and Arsenal star still faces plenty of competition as he battles it out for the role of second-choice striker this summer.
Aston Villa duo Ollie Watkins and Tammy Abraham are still well-regarded by Tuchel, along with Solanke and Calvert-Lewin. There is also the added factor that a number of England’s current crop of wingers can play centrally.
Nevertheless, Welbeck will be hoping that his performances between now and the end of the season are enough to earn a return to the international stage for the first time since 2018, where he could link up with fellow Brighton star Jason Steele.