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Welbeck's Miraculous Resurgence: Seven-Year Hiatus Ends with Shock England Recall Bid

Published 7 hours ago3 minute read
Uche Emeka
Uche Emeka
Welbeck's Miraculous Resurgence: Seven-Year Hiatus Ends with Shock England Recall Bid

Brighton striker Danny Welbeck, at 34 years old, is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in form, positioning himself as a strong contender for an unlikely England recall. Seven years after his last international appearance in 2018, Welbeck has become the Premier League's most prolific English scorer this season, notching six goals in ten games, including a current streak of three consecutive league matches. This impressive run marks the longest scoring streak of his extensive career, which has seen him score in 17 different Premier League campaigns.

Welbeck's exceptional form was prominently displayed in Brighton's recent 3-0 victory over Leeds at the Amex Stadium. He opened the scoring after just 11 minutes with a superb near-post finish from Mats Wieffer's cut-back. His goal set the tone for Brighton's dominant performance, which saw Diego Gómez add two more goals in quick succession during the second half, sealing a miserable outing for the visitors.

The discussion around Welbeck's potential return to the England squad intensifies as manager Thomas Tuchel, known for selecting players based on current form, prepares to name his squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania. While Welbeck will be 35 by the 2026 World Cup, his current output suggests he could add to his 42 caps and 16 international goals. He faces competition from other strikers vying for spots behind Harry Kane, including Ollie Watkins, Marcus Rashford, Ivan Toney, and Liam Delap.

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler expressed his satisfaction with Welbeck's contributions, stating, "Again it's not my decision. I'm happy he's in my team. I'm sure the other German will make the right decision." Hurzeler also lauded his team's overall performance, particularly their defensive solidity that secured a clean sheet. "Overall it was good performance from the start, especially the first 20 minutes," Hurzeler commented. "Winning is always the best feeling but a clean sheet gives you a high percentage of winning the game. Everyone worked hard and were there for each other. We deserve a clean sheet."

Despite the growing speculation, Welbeck himself remains focused and grounded. On the BBC's Final Score programme, he commented, "I'm feeling good. I've been getting the goals more than I have previously. Before I have had better performances but maybe not got the goals. I am feeling fit, strong and the only thing I can focus on is controlling what I can control and the rest will sort itself out. I am really enjoying my football, focusing on the next game with Brighton." This pragmatic approach appears to be fueling his success, making him the Premier League's top scorer since his streak commenced on September 27.

Conversely, Leeds manager Daniel Farke reflected on his team's "toothless" display, lamenting a worrying lack of firepower. With Dominic Calvert-Lewin isolated up front, Leeds struggled to create chances, managing only three away goals all season prior to this match. Farke conceded, "We don't have to overanalyse the game. There is no sugar-coating that they were the better side. We didn't start very well. We weren't brave or confident... Deliveries were not as good and then missed chances. I felt we were not that far away from equalising then we gave the 2-0 and 3-0 in quick succession."

Welbeck's sustained excellence has even drawn praise from former Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha, who described him as a "timeless wonder" and "most efficient striker." As Thomas Tuchel prepares to announce his England squad, all eyes will be on whether Welbeck's undeniable form will culminate in a remarkable international comeback, showcasing a career renaissance at an age where many players contemplate retirement.

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