Thomas Tuchel is considering handing a shock recall to Danny Welbeck, over seven years on from the striker’s last England appearance, ahead of matches with Serbia and Albania later this month.
Welbeck last featured for the Three Lions in 2018 and was regularly overlooked by Gareth Southgate during his time in the Wembley dugout.
This term, the 34-year-old has impressed – scoring six goals from his first 10 Premier League appearances to fire Brighton up to 10th in the table.
England go up against Serbia and Albania later this month in their final two World Cup qualifying matches, with Tuchel hopeful his side can end their campaign on a high.
Now, according to Sky Sports, Tuchel is considering handing Welbeck a surprise recall to the national team.
The player currently has 42 caps to his name, as well as 16 goals. He made his debut in 2011, while playing under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, and netted his first goal for his country against Belgium the following year.
England will head to next summer’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada among the favourites to win the tournament.
Harry Kane comfortably sits atop the list of England’s top goalscorers | GB NEWS/GETTY
Thomas Tuchel is considering handing a shock recall to Danny Welbeck, over seven years on from the striker’s last England appearance, ahead of matches with Serbia and Albania later this month
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However, there’s a sense they’re reliant on Harry Kane and need an alternative plan in place should something happen to the Bayern Munich star.
Ollie Watkins has, in recent years, proved to be a capable back-up to Kane.
His finest moment came at the European Championships last summer, where he scored a dramatic late winner as England beat the Netherlands 2-1 to make the final.
Danny Welbeck has been in fine form for Brighton this term, scoring six goals from 10 Premier League games
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However, Watkins’ form has nosedived for Villa this term – with the 29-year-old registering just a single goal in the Premier League so far.
Dominic Solanke has struggled for Tottenham since joining from Bournemouth in 2024, too, while Ivan Toney doesn’t appear to be in the picture following his move to Saudi Arabia that same year.
Meanwhile, speaking on his podcast, Wayne Rooney lavished praise on Welbeck and suggested he deserves another chance on the international stage.
Danny Welbeck last played for England back in 2018
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“He scores goals, he works hard, he’s having a purple patch and he’s put himself in a position where Thomas Tuchel will definitely have to look at him,” he said.
“Behind Harry Kane he is the most in-form England striker. He’s given himself a chance.”
Rooney and Welbeck used to be teammates at United, with the duo also playing alongside each other for England.
England need a quality back-up to Harry Kane as next summer’s World Cup creeps closer
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And the 40-year-old believes his old side made a mistake by not signing Welbeck in the summer of 2024.
That year, Erik ten Hag was reportedly interested in a deal.
Ultimately, however, the fallen giants went for Joshua Zirkzee instead – with the Netherlands international since proceeding to tumble down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
Rooney added: “He’s been such a good player in the Premier League.
“I said last season Manchester United should have brought him back.
“He seems really settled at Brighton, he’s doing well and scoring goals, and I hope he continues that and gives himself the best chance of trying to get back in the England squad.”
