Joe Snee looks at the continued rise and rise of Danny Welbeck, England’s future.
Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah, also known as Danny Wellbeck, has risen to prominence in a season where Thierry Henry and Paul Scholes have made nostalgic returns to the Premier League.
As of now, he seems to have tied down a position where there is no lack of competition. Being Wayne Rooney’s partner is not the easiest of positions on a football field. For a start, Wayne tends to drop very deep when the ball is not fired into his feet early on, often leaving his strike partner alone up top. Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen struggle at times to deal with this; pace is not the Bulgarian’s strongest attribute and Owens pace and ability to stay fit has long gone. Javier Hernandez’s first season in England was a major success – scoring 20 goals in your first season is absolutely nothing to be sniffed at – though this season the Mexican finishing machine has struggled to nail down a starting position. Whether that is down to the concussion sustained or a niggling ankle injury picked up against Aston Villa, it’s certainly something he will not be happy with. One conclusion I have came to is that Hernandez does not link up play as well as the likes of Wellbeck even if he does make some amazing runs, brings defenders away from his strike partner, and has the ability to find the back of the net like not many others around.
When Wellbeck starts up top with Rooney, he links up play so well it is genuinely a joy to watch at times. He has a partnership with Rooney that is very much diverting peoples attention away from the midfield situation and keeping Manchester United in the title race. He is now adding the scoring ability to his all-round power and speed which has the potential to bring him right to the top. Ruud Van Nistelrooy often gave a young 13 year old Wellbeck advice on his finishing and all-round play, this has stood the United striker in good stead.
His link up with Rooney also offers England a ready made partnership.
A lot of credit must be given to Steve Bruce and Sunderland; Wellbeck was sent on loan last season to Wearside, where it was hoped he would gain invaluable experience. He made 28 appearances for the Black Cats and scored 6 goals in his time there, including a goal in a win at Stamford Bridge. He gained some muscle whilst on loan, playing week in week out either up top or on the left and really came into his own. He now looks the full package, he now looks like a Manchester United footballer.
My question really is, should he be brought to the European Championships this summer with England? In my view, and this may be slightly bias, I think he should most certainly be on the plane. The competition for places will be fierce with Carroll, Defoe, Bent, Sturridge and Rooney all players who could make the trip. I think Wellbeck would offer a no-fear attitude that a 21 year old International should have. His link up with Rooney also offers England a ready made partnership. Many will say Daniel Sturridge should be ahead of Wellbeck – and there are fair arguments to be made with that assessment – so why not bring them both?
Wellbeck really could add something new and exciting to the set up, even with only three senior International caps to his name.
As far as his club career in the future is concerned, there is a slight concern over his wage demands. So far, these are just rumours, and rumours usually stay at that. The lad looks as though he genuinely is a born and bred Manchester United footballer who would love to stay at the club and become a legend. Let’s hope that happens.
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