🎧 Looking ahead to Palace and Welbeck for England?published at 17:28 GMT 4 November
17:28 GMT 4 November
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Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall discuss the possibility of forward Danny Welbeck earning a recall to the England squad and look ahead to the first meeting of this season between Brighton and Crystal Palace on Sunday.
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Welbeck 'able deputy' to Kane for Englandpublished at 10:34 GMT 4 November
10:34 GMT 4 November
Scott McCarthy Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
It was such a routine win for Brighton over Leeds United that the Amex was never required to really find its voice and spur the players on.
There was the exception of one chant which spread through the West Stand Upper tier at one point – Welbeck for England.
The evergreen Danny Welbeck – or Danny Malbec as some are now referring to him for continuing to age like a fine wine – has six Premier League goals in 10 appearances this season. This makes him the leading English scorer in the division.
On current form, Welbeck deserves an England recall for the November internationals. But his case for inclusion goes beyond just a hot streak of goals.
In terms of playing style, Welbeck is probably the closest thing England have to Harry Kane. Two classic number nines who know where the back of the goal is and can link play brilliantly.
Should disaster strike and Kane be injured going into the World Cup, Welbeck would be an able deputy.
More likely is that Kane ends the season knackered from too much football, as was the case when he struggled in the latter stages of Euro 2024. Again, Welbeck provides an alternative.
But where Welbeck can really add value is what he brings off-the-pitch rather than on it. Thomas Tuchel has frequently said he wants more experience and leadership, hence the return of Jordan Henderson.
Welbeck brings those two traits in spades. His professionalism is second-to-none and that shines through in an astonishing work rate for a bloke in his mid-30s.
This young Brighton squad has benefitted from Welbeck significantly, and so too can a young England squad.
After all the injury problems Welbeck suffered between his last World Cup in 2018 and next summer's tournament, it would be quite the story for him to be on the plane to the USA, Canada and Mexico.
He deserves it though, just as the Amex told Tuchel on Saturday.
Rooney backs Welbeck for England recallpublished at 11:07 GMT 3 November
11:07 GMT 3 November
Image source, Getty Images
Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes Danny Welbeck should be considered for a recall into the England squad.
Thomas Tuchel is set to name his squad for this month's World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania on Friday.
Welbeck is the top English scorer in the Premier League this season with six goals in 10 games.
"He scores goals, he works hard, he's having a purple patch and he's put himself in a position where Thomas Tuchel will definitely have to look at him," Rooney said 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.
"He's been such a good player in the Premier League.
"I said last season Manchester United should have brought him back.
"He seems really settled at Brighton, he's doing well and scoring goals, and I hope he continues that and gives himself the best chance of trying to get back in the England squad."
Stuart: All the stats indicated a typical Dr Brighton result. An early goal helped settle the nerves and ultimately we were never troubled. Leeds were poor and our players stepped up. Ferdi Kadioglu and Yasin Ayari were the stars. Also a big shout to the youngsters on their debuts. It's all very positive for the future.
Sarah: Fantastic game! With the exception of the 20 minute lull at the beginning and losing possession a bit too easily in midfield, we were strong and functioning as a team again. Danny Welbeck is on a brilliant roll, Diego Gomez got his first Premier League goal in style and sealed it with another corker, plus Yankuba Minteh and Mats Wieffer got assists. I'm really pleased to see Lewis Dunk doing so well again, especially after some suggested he should move over. There's a lot of life in him yet; he is a proper solid defender.
Dean: Good to see the Albion finish off a team in the bottom half of the league, as this had been a persistent problem for us. Welbeck on a free transfer from Watford has turned out to be a masterstroke.
Tim: Following from a hotel room in Turkey, it sounded like a far from perfect performance that we should've put to bed by half-time. We march on with three precious points and a spot back in the top half! If we can get Kaoru Mitoma, Jack Hinshelwood, Joel Veltman and Brajan Gruda back from injury, I think we'll be in a great place by this season's halfway point.
Leeds fans
Chris: Absolutely useless. They had no fire in their bellies. The front six were at another game. We were too slow in both movement and passing. Daniel Farke has to change his tactics for away games because we are not good enough to defend against quick attacking teams.
Kenneth: Poorest performance of the season so far, with too many players below par. Some are not good enough for Premier League football, Jayden Bogle and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to name just two. It's really coming back to bite us not buying a proven goalscorer.
Dave: Farke is living on borrowed time. The tactics and teamsheet were a disgrace. We were very poor.
Thomas: We have to be realistic and realise that it is so much harder to win games in the Premier League, especially away from home. The formation away from home is obviously not working so maybe a change would help. But, like all teams in Leeds' situation coming up from the Championship, it is a case of avoiding relegation. A long hard season in prospect.
'We just have this connection' - Rutter on 'natural' Welbeck partnershippublished at 15:26 GMT 2 November
15:26 GMT 2 November
Image source, Getty Images
Brighton forward Georginio Rutter says it was "very special" to play against his former team Leeds United and believes the Seagulls' 3-0 win will be "very good for building confidence" after a mixed start to the season.
Speaking to BBC Radio Sussex after the win, Rutter said: "We got the three points and a clean sheet, which we have been waiting for a long time, so it is very good for building confidence.
"I was very happy with the performance and I think the manager was as well. We take it, but we have to keep going. If we get a clean sheet in every game then we cannot lose.
"In some games this season I've seen some players not wanting to run for their team-mates, but I saw everybody running so that made me very happy."
On Danny Welbeck's recent performances, he added: "He is very good for this team because of his experience. He is also very clinical in the box.
"From my point of view, he helped me a lot when I first got here. If he's called up to England I'll be very happy for him and I believe in him on that front.
"Our partnership is natural. He doesn't force it and I don't force it. We just have this connection, even in training. I don't know why, but it works."
