When Thomas Tuchel announced his England squad for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan on Friday, one notable exclusion became increasingly apparent the next day.
This was highlighted when the player currently holding the record for the most goals scored by an Englishman in the Premier League this season netted a brace in Brighton’s victory over Champions League hopefuls Liverpool.
Despite being 35 years old, Danny Welbeck continues to defy age, scoring his 11th and 12th league goals of the season.
While he may not have the opportunity to prove himself to Tuchel on the international stage before the coach finalizes his squad for the summer World Cup, he is certainly doing all he can at the club level.
If he felt disappointed about not capturing Tuchel’s attention yet, he didn’t show it, delivering a man-of-the-match performance against Liverpool.
“Control what I can control,” he said to BBC Match of the Day when asked about being in the discussion for a potential call-up. “It’s really nice that my name is being mentioned. That’s a positive for me. I prefer not to waste energy on things I can’t control. I’m just happy, enjoying my football, and focusing on what I can influence.”
Why ‘valuable’ Welbeck is in such fine form
Welbeck’s statistics this season are undeniably impressive.
With his two goals against Brighton, he has reached a total of 12 league goals this season, marking his highest tally in a single campaign.
This season alone, he has recorded multiple goals in a league match on three occasions, the most he has ever achieved in one season.
Remarkably, Welbeck’s goal-scoring prowess is highlighted by his remarkable efficiency: six of his initial goals came from just seven shots on target, and against Liverpool, he scored from both of his shots on target.
However, Seagulls manager Fabian Hurzeler emphasizes that Welbeck’s contributions extend far beyond just his goal-scoring ability.
“Not only does he score goals—he’s in superb shape—but he also strengthens team dynamics, fosters great connections between teammates, and cultivates a strong sense of togetherness,” Hurzeler stated. “He is an excellent connector and is incredibly valuable both on and off the pitch; he could benefit any team in the world, including England.”
Former England striker Wayne Rooney praised Welbeck’s comprehensive skill set, noting, “He scores goals, works exceptionally hard, and effectively links play. He is undoubtedly an option for England.”
Advertisement
Why is he currently overlooked for England?
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane continues to have a phenomenal season, netting 47 goals across all competitions for the German side, and will likely lead the line for England in North America.
The question now is who will serve as his backup?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was tied with Danny Welbeck as the top-scoring English player with 10 goals before Welbeck’s recent double, and he has been included in Tuchel’s squad.
Though the Leeds striker had an impressive streak of seven goals in six games late in 2025, he entered Saturday’s match against Brentford after scoring only once in the previous eight outings.
Meanwhile, Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke has also received a call-up but has only registered three Premier League goals this season and is still returning from a long injury absence.
Both players have the potential to substitute for Kane but lack the form that Welbeck currently displays.
“Welbeck is very unfortunate not to receive a call-up,” Rooney remarked. “At 35, he’s showing no signs of slowing down. It may have been a close decision between him and Calvert-Lewin, but he deserves recognition for an excellent season.”
Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer echoed this sentiment, stating, “He can feel really unlucky not to be included in the squad given his current form and goal tally. Solanke has three goals, and Calvert-Lewin has found the net only twice in the last twelve games. Welbeck absolutely deserves a spot in that 35-man squad.”
Despite his exclusion, Hurzeler is confident that Tuchel will make sound decisions when finalizing the England World Cup roster. “England has an excellent German coach, and he will make the right choices,” he said. He emphasized the importance of assessing Welbeck’s influence both on and off the pitch, noting that fostering “group togetherness” can be vital for World Cup success.