Gareth Southgate has assured Danny Welbeck that he is central to England’s plans while explaining he didn’t pick him for this round of international games because he hasn’t played much recently.

  • Welbeck has only 6 Premier League appearances this season
  • Striker has 14 goals in 34 England appearances
  • Southgate also snubbed Theo Walcott

Danny Welbeck hasn’t played much football over the past two years because of two knee injuries. Arsenal themselves admitted that they are taking it easy with him as they manage his recovery so not being called up was a good thing.

Southgate’s, however, falls apart a little when you remember that he picked Luke Shaw SOLELY because he hadn’t played in five months. He said he wanted to boost Shaw’s confidence.

Southgate also explained that he didn’t pick Theo Walcott, who has scored 17 goals in 30 appearances this season, because he hadn’t watched him play. Somehow, however, he managed to watch the Ox enough to pick him while missing Theo.

Jermaine Defoe, who has scored 14 goals this season, and Jamie Vardy, who has 10, were both picked. Marcus Rashford, also included, has seven.