England boss Thomas Tuchel urged to recall former Man Utd and Arsenal striker | Football

Thomas Tuchel has been urged to recall a former Manchester United and Arsenal striker when he names his first England squad.

Tuchel’s first squad as England manager will be confirmed next week ahead of World Cup qualifying games against Albania and Latvia later in the month.

German coach Tuchel, who has previously worked at Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, was appointed by England back in October after Sir Gareth Southgate resigned following Euro 2024.

It will be interesting to see who Tuchel picks, with the likes of Ethan Nwaneri, Liam Delap and Morgan Rogers impressing this season.

Ally McCoist believes Tuchel should also recall a player who has not featured for England in seven years in Brighton forward Danny Welbeck.

Welbeck has 42 England caps to his name and featured in three major tournaments – Euro 2012 and the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.

The 34-year-old former Manchester United and Arsenal striker is enjoying an impressive season on the south coast and McCoist reckons he should be included in Tuchel’s first England squad.

Asked if he would endorse Welbeck’s surprise inclusion, McCoist said on talkSPORT: ‘Listen, I’ll tell you what, I’m on it.

‘It’s the hardest job in the business, scoring goals, right? Definitely. Now, I wouldn’t see any reason why he couldn’t be and I’ll tell you why.

‘We talk about specialised positions at this moment in time. Would Danny Welbeck start as a number nine for England? No, absolutely not. I don’t think so.

‘But, say if you need a goal from somewhere with half an hour to go. If you’re a goal down at this level, you need to find a goal.

‘Who at this moment in time, more than Danny Welbeck, would you fancy bringing off the bench?

‘I thought Welbeck’s finish at the weekend [in Brighton’s FA Cup win over Newcastle United] was great. I thought his finish against Bournemouth was beautiful as well.

‘So, in answer to your question, it wouldn’t be the daftest thing in the world.’

Manchester United sold Welbeck to Premier League rivals Arsenal over a decade ago but Old Trafford legend Wayne Rooney believes he could still be playing for the Red Devils.

Speaking on BBC One after Fulham knocked United out of the FA Cup, Rooney said: ‘Danny’s great to play alongside.

‘If I’m completely honest I’d probably like to still see him here, playing for Manchester United. He’s scored goals throughout his career.

‘He had injuries in the early part of his career but he seems to have got over them and he’s having a fantastic season.’

England are desperate to go one better under Tuchel and win their first major trophy in men’s football since 1966, having reached back-to-back European Championship finals under Southgate.

The 2026 World Cup will take place across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19 next year.

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