Exclusive:Gus Poyet makes Danny Welbeck and Thomas Tuchel World Cup admission as Brighton star nets again
Gus Poyet gives his verdict on Danny Welbeck and his World Cup chances
Former Brighton boss Gus Poyet believes Danny Welbeck can still make the England squad for this summer's World Cup.
Welbeck, 35, netted his 13th goal of the season last Tuesday with a late strike in Albion's 3-0 win against Chelsea.
He is the highest scoring Englishman in the Premier League this term and is making a strong case to be Harry Kane's understudy this summer. Leeds United's Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins both have 11 goals and are in contention.
Welbeck is pushing hard to impress Thomas Tuchel but so far the Brighton man is yet to be included and missed out on the last squad in the previous international break.
Welbeck can make it
“It’s very difficult now as the big squad that was in the last international break looked like the world cup squad will come from that group,” said Poyet to Sussex World via Lucky Rebel. “However, if Welbeck continues to score goals and others who were in this recent squad gets injured or don’t score and aren’t performing, he can make it.
“But yes it’s doubtful now, which is a shame as he can be a good option. Understudy to Kane, well there isn’t a different replacement for Kane as he is the number one.
“Watkins can come off the bench and also Tuchel can play Gordon, or others in that position, but Kane is out on his own.”
Welbeck, the former Manchester United and Arsenal man, has 42 England caps and has scored 16 goals for his country. He has represented his country at Euro 2012 and the World Cups in 2014 and 2018.