Rooney Advocates for Welbeck's England Recall Ahead of World Cup Qualifiers
Wayne Rooney has urged England manager Thomas Tuchel to consider recalling Brighton striker Danny Welbeck to the national squad.
Tuchel is expected to announce his squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania on Friday. Welbeck, who previously played alongside Rooney at Manchester United and the England national team, is currently the top English scorer in the Premier League, netting six goals in ten matches this season.
The 34-year-old last represented England in a friendly victory over Switzerland in 2018. However, Rooney believes Welbeck should be optimistic about adding to his 42 caps and 16 international goals.
"He scores goals, he works hard, and he’s in great form. He has put himself in a position where Thomas Tuchel will definitely have to consider him," Rooney stated on the latest episode of his podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show.
"Behind Harry Kane, he is the most in-form England striker. He’s given himself a chance to be recalled."
Rooney, who was a first-team player at Manchester United when Welbeck emerged from the youth ranks at Old Trafford, expressed his admiration for Welbeck's performance. "He has been a fantastic player in the Premier League. I mentioned last season that Manchester United should have brought him back," he added.
"He seems really settled at Brighton, doing well and scoring goals. I hope he continues this form and gives himself the best chance of making it back into the England squad."
With the 2026 World Cup set to kick off in June, Welbeck will be 35, and Rooney believes he could play a significant role for England both on and off the pitch.
"I’m not suggesting he would accept a bench role, but players like Ollie Watkins, who are younger, are eager to compete for that starting position alongside Kane. Much like Jordan Henderson, Welbeck could use his experience to benefit the squad. He is well-liked among teammates wherever he has played and possesses the ability to make an impact when called upon," Rooney explained.
Having already secured qualification for next summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada with two games remaining, Rooney suggested that Tuchel might consider resting Harry Kane in the upcoming squad to explore options like Welbeck.
"If you’re Tuchel, you definitely have to be looking at him, and I hope he does. For the next couple of England games, I wouldn’t even call Kane up. Let him rest. There aren’t many opportunities for him to take a break until the end of the season. It’s a chance to evaluate players like Welbeck, Watkins, or Ivan Toney—whoever he wants to assess," Rooney said.
Although Rooney is six years older than Welbeck, the two formed a strong friendship during their time together. Rooney fondly recalled how Welbeck's mother would cook for him each week, saying, "He was brilliant, such a lovely person. On the pitch, he pressed high, was aggressive, quick to the ball, clever, skilled, and a goal-scorer."
"I must say, the best part about Daniel is that his mother used to bring me chicken and rice every Thursday. It was delicious, and I always looked forward to it," he added.
Welbeck has scored six goals in his last five Premier League appearances for Brighton and has now found the net in 17 different top-flight campaigns.
"All the former players at United are in a WhatsApp group, so we keep in touch," Rooney mentioned when asked about his connection with Welbeck. "He’s been on fire. We all support each other when someone is doing well. I’m happy for him because injuries have plagued his career, but he seems to have found fitness now and is showcasing his talent and capabilities."