England in focus: In defence of Danny Welbeck

Danny Welbeck, at odds of 14/1 to be The Three Lions top scorer in Brazil, may have to be concerned for his place in England’s plans, with the tide of public opinion pushing against him.

Heading to the finals, Welbeck finds himself in the most unusual of positions for a young English forward, being painfully underrated by the Three Lions fans and media.

Meanwhile, after their sparkling domestic form this season, the clamour for the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley to be in the starting XI, alongside whoever else has become flavour of the month, has intensified.

If these additions were to be made at the unfashionable Welbeck’s expense, it would be difficult to argue that any of the above mentioned were not deserving of their starting spot. However, with the 23-year old’s recent record of three goals in six appearances for England’s side, and eight goals in 22 appearances overall, an argument surely has to be made for him not to be discarded just yet.

However, it is not these impressive stats that should endear him to the Three Lions faithful, as it is small details in the young Mancunian’s all-round game that ignite the imagination. Deft back-heel flicks in and around the box, an ability to knock the ball past a seasoned defender such as Ashley Cole, breaking away with such blistering pace he was left clutching his hamstring.

His sheer passion for the cause will often find him harrying opposition late into the final minutes of a game already won, stealing the ball away and sprinting the forward to spring one final attack. However, it is this willingness to sacrifice himself, along with his versatility, that may see the forward on the bench for both club and country.

It is easy to forget that the boy from Longsight, reared at Manchester United from the age of eight, following rejection from Manchester City, was once viewed as exciting a talent as any of the Merseyside maestros.

Bursting onto the scene at Old Trafford against Stoke City in 2008, Welbeck unleashed a scorching shot into the top-hand corner. The youngster was subsequently reprimanded for his Cantona-esque collar-up celebration, but it was a debut goal that any of this England squad would be proud to claim as their own. It was also an indication of the type of quality finishes Welbeck has shown he is more than capable of producing in subsequent seasons, with exquisite goals against Sweden, Belgium, Manchester City, Everton and Swansea City springing to mind.