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Danny Welbeck ready to become England's complete forward at this summer's World Cup in Brazil

As Danny Welbeck prepares for this summer's World Cup in Brazil, Adam Bate caught up with England forward to discuss his adaptability, growing up fast and those international ambitions...

Danny Welbeck England kit new niken

Mention World Cup heroes to Danny Welbeck and his eyes light up. “It was 100 per cent Michael Owen,” says the Manchester United and England forward.

“I just remember as a kid him bursting on the scene for England. I was seven years old in 1998 so it was my first tournament that I remember. It’s something that sticks in my memory to this day and I’ll never forget it. He was the player for England I was idolising growing up.”

While the choice of Owen is an understandable one for a youngster of his generation, it’s also a revealing one.  At 6’2”, the perception of Welbeck as a robust and physical forward is understandable. But for much of his youth, the United man was a slight figure giving up height and weight to his peers. A growth spurt late in his teens has significantly changed that frame. So does Welbeck still think like a short player?

The first impressions are good. It’s a nice fit and I’m just looking forward to wearing it.
Welbeck on the new England kit

“Maybe subconsciously I do,” he laughs. “When I was growing up there were a lot of players who were bigger and quicker than me. So I had to think of different ways to get past defenders. That still helps me today and having grown into more of a man that’s going to benefit me because I can challenge those defenders more – even if they are 6’3” or 6’4” and built like bricks!

“It hindered my performance initially because physically I wasn’t up to scratch. I did have a late growth spurt so I was a bit weak in certain areas. But over the last couple of years I’ve developed into more of a man now so I feel like wherever I am on the pitch I can make a massive impact.”

Indeed, now it’s Welbeck cutting the physically imposing figure up front and that has opened up more possibilities – he can be a target man as well someone who runs in behind. “You can always add things to your game,” he says. “There is never a limit so I’m just looking to improve as a player and if I can continue to add stuff to my game it’ll make me a more complete and all-round striker.”

Adaptability

This adaptability has seen him occupy all manner of positions across the frontline of the attack. “It’s good to be tactically aware and know how to play in different positions,” he adds. “If you’re put in different areas, you need to know how to make an impact in that position. I’m quite happy to take on new ideas. If it’s going to work for me and work for the team then I’m prepared to do it. Wherever the manager puts me, I’m looking to make an impact."

It’s nice to have a good mix and blend of different types of strikers because the quality is high in the attacking positions for England.
Welbeck on the forwards

That’s something that has come rather easier to Welbeck of late. With 13 goals for club and country this season, he has more than doubled last year’s tally. For the man himself, there is no mystery to the improved return.

“I’ve had more opportunities to play as a striker. Last season I was playing on the left wing in a lot of my games. That’s something that didn’t help me in terms of scoring goals. This season when I’ve played up front I’ve scored. Just having the opportunities to play up there is why I’ve been getting the goals.

“At Manchester United we've mainly played a 4-4-2 and if you play on the left wing it’s going to be difficult to get in the box, especially when you’ve got defensive duties and the right-back could be bombing on past you. Once you get in and around the box you get those opportunities to score and you just want to be sticking them in the back of the net. Thankfully this season I’ve done that.”

When you’ve got three men in midfield and you’re employed on the left, you can still be more of an attacking player.
Welbeck on his England role

Scoring for his country has seldom been a problem. Welbeck scored eight goals in his first 18 appearances for England, including one against Scotland and a brace versus Moldova in the autumn. Tellingly, Sir Alex Ferguson referred to Welbeck as a “cocky so-and-so” in his recent autobiography and perhaps that confidence has aided the player in adapting to international football.

“You’ve got to have the right mentality going into any sort of football game,” says Welbeck. “You’ve got to be prepared physically and mentally. I think that’s vital. You have to play the game and not the occasion. Also, with England we sometimes play 4-3-3. When you’ve got three men in midfield and you’re employed on the left, you can still be more of an attacking player.”

Praise

That dual role as both goal threat and provider has earned Welbeck praise in recent months. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said Welbeck’s “energy gives the others space” while fellow Sky man and England coach Gary Neville claimed he “balances a football team”. Ask Welbeck if he feels strike partners enjoy playing with him and there’s a sheepish laugh followed by the modest suggestion that you’d have to ask them. But his intelligent movement is suited to forging strong partnerships.

I’ve not looked that far ahead just yet but hopefully I can do it!
Welbeck on beating Buffon

“Once I’m on the pitch we work as a team,” he says. “You know there are certain runs you can make that will create space. I’m focused on how I can help the team win the game and if I can get in behind the defence to score I’m going to do that. But if it’s creating space for others then that’s also important.

“I played with Daniel Sturridge coming up through the young England age groups. I play with Wayne Rooney at club level. Even in training with England I’ve linked up well with Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana. So I’ve got a good understanding with a lot of the players. It’s all the same really – once you get on the pitch you develop an understanding and that make it easier.

“It’s nice to have a good mix and blend of different types of strikers because the quality is high in the attacking positions for England. The more we gel together and learn each other’s games then the better it’ll be for the team.”

Last summer offered that opportunity as Roy Hodgson’s squad travelled to Brazil to get some experience of the country that will host this summer’s World Cup. Sadly for Welbeck, injury denied him a run-out at the famous Maracana – and he’s eager to make up for it in 2014.

Danny Welbeck England Feature

“There are not a lot of fond memories,” he admits. “Obviously, going out there and not playing in the game – that was frustrating. But to go to the Maracana and see the stadium and to go to Brazil and see a bit of the culture was great. We weren’t there for too long but hopefully we’ll be there a bit longer in the summer!”

A better experience for Welbeck came the previous year, when he made a goalscoring impact against Sweden at Euro 2012 and he’ll be drawing on that in Brazil. “I had that major tournament experience at the Euros and it helped a lot. It was a really good tournament for me personally and for the team.

“It was a bit disappointment going out to Italy in the quarter-finals but going into the World Cup confidence is high and we’re just going to go and play our normal game.” If Danny Welbeck does that, you suspect that he won’t go far wrong.

The new England home and away kits have been created by Nike with a focus on cultural design details and the best in performance innovation. The England kits are now available on nike.com.

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