Roy to choose between Welbeck and Defoe ... and Rooney's United pal has the edge
By Matt Lawton
PUBLISHED: 21:00 GMT, 14 October 2012 | UPDATED: 21:00 GMT, 14 October 2012
On paper the choice between Danny Welbeck and Jermain Defoe for Tuesday's encounter in Poland looks like a difficult one for Roy Hodgson.
When the England manager considers Welbeck he will no doubt note the four goals that make him the highest scorer of his 10-game reign, with two of them in Friday’s victory over San Marino. Then he might take into account the 10 goals Welbeck has scored in 45 league appearances for Manchester United, and the fact that he has developed a useful understanding with Wayne Rooney.
There is also a compelling argument for Defoe. Two goals for England, one of which came against Italy, and four for Tottenham underline how sharp he is looking this season. Since returning to White Hart Lane in January 2009, he has struck 40 times in 96 league games. No mean return.
Welbeck has not scored for United this season and the arrival of Robin van Persie has made it that much more difficult for the 21-year-old to make an impact. Hodgson mentioned as much at Wembley on Friday night.
But if he also values the potential to become a top-class international striker who could make an impact for England at the next World Cup, the decision surely becomes a bit easier.
There was a reason why Sir Alex Ferguson predicted as early as he did that Welbeck would become a senior England international. Welbeck has real talent, and all the necessary attributes to become an established member of the national side.
It is not just the relationship he has developed with Rooney at Old Trafford. He ticks all the physical boxes with his pace, strength, height and agility, and a degree of skill that sets him apart from every other contender for the place alongside Rooney.
Tom Cleverley has grown up with Welbeck too, a product of the same United academy. ‘Danny’s top class,’ said Cleverley at the England hotel on Sunday. ‘His movement, which he’s always working on, his touch, his finishing, pace, power. He’s got everything to be a top-class striker.
‘We’ve got a great strikeforce for England and he’s part of that.’
Hodgson does have options. As well as Welbeck and Defoe there is Andy Carroll. There is Darren Bent too, if he can resolve his apparent differences with Paul Lambert, or move from Aston Villa and perform as he did at Sunderland.
But Welbeck is the star turn and it will be interesting to see if Hodgson agrees or returns to a striker who will be nearly 32 come Brazil.
Defoe is a decent player and more than worthy of a place in the squad. He has commanded transfer fees in excess of £30million during his career and in more recent years he has stepped out from the shadow of Michael Owen.
At club level he has sometimes struggled to remain in favour with his managers, even if it was Juande Ramos who sold him to Portsmouth before Harry Redknapp lured him back to north London.
As Gary Neville has said, Welbeck needs to score more. But goals will come when he is in the team, such is the threat England possess when he’s alongside Rooney.
After Friday’s game Hodgson said: ‘Danny wasn’t on everyone’s lips when I took him to the Euros. Since then I think he has had to fight very hard to get a place in the Manchester United team because the competition is so great. But he is improving all the time.’
He is young but he is also gifted; bright too. Bright enough to learn and bright enough to understand what it takes to fulfil his potential. ‘I’m used to playing with Wazza (Rooney) up front at United and I’m really relishing the chance to play with him for England,’ said Welbeck.
‘Once we get into positions in and around the box, we know different styles of combinations to play.’
From his vantage point in central midfield, Michael Carrick can see what Welbeck brings to a side when he partners Rooney.
‘I am a massive fan of Danny,’ he said. ‘I am probably a bit biased because of the United connection, but ever since I have seen him I have been a huge fan and I expect big things of him.
‘He has had a terrific couple of years now. People were looking at him when we signed Van Persie saying, “Where is his position, where is he going to fit in?”
‘But he has shown he is still a major part of it and he was terrific again against San Marino.
‘He is talented. He can create and score goals. He can play different positions. He is modest too, what you’d expect coming through the ranks at United.
‘The manager sets standards for the young lads and Danny doesn’t get carried away. He works hard. That is one of his biggest assets.’
So many assets. Hodgson surely can’t ignore him.
