Danny Welbeck not surprised to see Danny Drinkwater get England call
Thursday 17 March 2016 17:57, UK
Danny Welbeck says he is not surprised to see former Manchester United academy team-mate Danny Drinkwater get his first England call-up.
The midfielder has excelled as Leicester have surpassed all pre-season expectations to sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with eight games remaining.
Now the 26-year-old has been rewarded for his fine form this campaign with a call-up to Roy Hodgson's squad for this month's friendlies with Germany and the Netherlands.
As well as Foxes team-mate Jamie Vardy, Drinkwater will join Welbeck in the 24-man pool, with the pair having played alongside each other in United's youth academy and the striker is not surprised to see his friend called up.
"I was very pleased for him," Welbeck said. "I grew up with him in the United academy and it is not a surprise to me that he has finally got his call-up. I'm very pleased for him.
"I sent him a message and we had a little chat but it isn't surprising for me. He has always had the ability to do so - it has just happened a bit later than a few other players."
Asked if he thought his first senior call-up coming later might make Drinkwater hungrier for success Welbeck agreed, but said all the players in the squad had the same attitude.
"I think there are plenty of players out there who are hungry and the players who are in the squad are hungry as well so it is not just players fighting to get inside the squad, it is everyone involved who is available to play for England," the Arsenal striker said.
"From his point of view he will be extremely hungry to make an impression and try to fight his way in."
