Veteran Strikers Make Case for England World Cup Selection
England manager Thomas Tuchel may face a selection dilemma, but it is emerging from unexpected sources.
As discussions about England's World Cup squad predominantly focus on younger talent, two seasoned Premier League strikers, Danny Welbeck and Callum Wilson, are making strong arguments to serve as backups to Harry Kane this summer.
Both players have been somewhat sidelined from the international scene in recent years, but this narrative may be shifting.
Welbeck, who will celebrate his 35th birthday on Wednesday, scored his seventh league goal in as many matches, helping Brighton secure a comeback victory against Brentford with a 2-1 scoreline on Saturday.
At Bournemouth, Wilson also made headlines by netting twice in a thrilling 2-2 draw against West Ham, bringing his tally to three goals in two games and four for the season since joining the Hammers as a free agent last summer.
These performances suggest that both experienced forwards are vying for Tuchel's attention, especially with only one more international break remaining before the German announces his squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Wilson 'Would Never Say No' to England
Wilson has a history of making a comeback. After not appearing for England since October 2019, he earned a spot in Gareth Southgate's 2022 World Cup squad following an impressive start to the 2022-23 season, where he scored six goals in ten league matches.
During the tournament in Qatar, he made two substitute appearances but has not added to his cap count since September 2023. However, following his recent strong performances at Bournemouth, former England goalkeeper Rob Green has suggested that Wilson could be in line for a return to the national team.
Despite Djordje Petrovic's questionable goalkeeping on Wilson's first goal, the striker's second was a brilliant improvised finish. "Callum Wilson was at his clinical best," Green commented on BBC Match of the Day. "He had two chances and scored two very good goals. If he maintains this form, there’s nothing to prevent him from starting for West Ham for the rest of the season, provided he stays fit. England lacks depth at the number nine position."
Wilson left Newcastle last summer when his contract expired and turned down offers from Saudi Arabia to sign with West Ham. He has since started three consecutive matches, contributing three goals that have helped the struggling team earn seven points in their fight to escape the Premier League relegation zone.
When asked about his chances of returning to the England squad following the Bournemouth match, Wilson stated, "Of course, any player would never say no. I just need to keep my place at West Ham and continue improving; who knows what may happen in six months?"
Injuries had previously limited Wilson to starting only 71 of 190 league matches during his time at Newcastle, but if he can stay healthy, his prospects for participating in the World Cup next summer look promising.
Welbeck 'Like a Good Red Wine'
Meanwhile, Welbeck is experiencing a revival at Brighton, with manager Fabian Hurzeler aptly describing the forward's current form. "He is like a good red wine; the older he gets, the better he becomes. We are delighted to have him in our squad as a leader and a player," Hurzeler told BBC Match of the Day.
Welbeck is currently the leading English scorer in the Premier League this season with seven goals, followed by Wilson and Burnley’s Jaidon Anthony, each with four.
Injuries have hindered Welbeck's career, preventing him from adding to his 42 England caps and 16 goals, with his last appearance dating back to September 2018. "I've had some serious injuries that kept me out for extended periods," Welbeck shared with Sky Sports. "I’m just happy to be on the pitch, enjoying my football and staying fit."
His strong start to the season has led former players, including Wayne Rooney, to suggest that Tuchel should consider him for a recall in the upcoming November World Cup qualifiers. Although Welbeck was not selected for the matches against Serbia and Albania, he remains focused on his performance. "I’ve always tried to stay balanced, never too high or too low," he said. "I take it game by game. I turn 35 this week, but I feel great. Hopefully, they’ll sing a little song for me, and that’s all I need at 35!"
With Tuchel indicating his intention to reach out to every player on England's extended list to discuss their chances of making it to the World Cup, both Welbeck and Wilson are hopeful for a realistic path back into the international squad.