Rio Ferdinand has revealed his belief that a player Arsenal allowed to leave for free should be in the current England squad.
The Gunners have a strong presence in the current Three Lions set-up, with Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke all regulars under Thomas Tuchel.
Saka and Rice should start for the German’s team at the World Cup next summer, while the other three will be fighting for a spot on the plane.
This is arguably the most Arsenal-influenced England squad for some time, although Ferdinand thinks there should be another tie between the Gunners and the national team.
Rio Ferdinand says Danny Welbeck should be England’s second-choice striker
Danny Welbeck made over 100 appearances for Arsenal between 2014 and 2019.
The striker was perennially criticised for his inability to score goals frequently enough, although he was a staple figure in the England set-up throughout his stint in North London.
However, since leaving the Emirates for free, he’s yet to earn a single cap for his country, despite impressively leading the line for Brighton for several years now.
Troy Deeney thinks Welbeck should get an England call-up, and the former Watford striker isn’t the only former teammate of the ex-Arsenal man who believes this.
Rio Ferdinand, who played with the centre-forward at Manchester United, is adamant that the 34-year-old is the second-best English striker behind Harry Kane.
“Second. He’s second to Harry Kane,” he said on Rio Ferdinand presents.
“No, seriously. If you’re talking form right now and if the squad is being picked tomorrow, Danny Welbeck has to go. Experience can do different types of things on the pitch for you.
“He can run behind if need be. Like we saw even at Old Trafford at the weekend, he can run behind. He can come short and link play as well as anybody outside of Harry Kane. He’s an all-round footballer.”
Should Danny Welbeck make the next England squad?
On the balance of current form, Ferdinand is probably right.
Welbeck has scored five times in ten appearances so far this season for Brighton, a return few English strikers can boast.
Kane’s spot on the plane to North America is guaranteed, although there is a clear vacancy behind him for the deputy striker position.
Ollie Watkins has been in the majority of Tuchel’s squads thus far, but the Aston Villa man is enduring a difficult season in the West Midlands and is clearly showing signs of decline. He’s scored just one goal in 13 appearances for his club.
Meanwhile, Ivan Toney is no longer playing in a competitive league and shouldn’t be deemed a realistic option, Liam Delap is injured and yet to prove himself at the highest level, and Dominic Solanke has been frozen out at Tottenham.
There is a clear place for Welbeck in the England squad, and Arsenal fans would no doubt be delighted to see the striker enjoy a late career return to international football.
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