Welbeck and Wilson – might old guard make England World Cup squad?

Perhaps not where he anticipated it to come from, but England manager Thomas Tuchel might have a selection headache.

Two Premier League veterans continue to make compelling arguments for being Harry Kane’s backup next summer, despite discussions about England’s World Cup squad centered primarily on younger players.

In recent years, Callum Wilson and Danny Welbeck have veered to the side of the international stage, but that story may soon change.

Welbeck, who turns 35 on Wednesday, scored his seventh league goal as Brighton rallied from behind to defeat Brentford 2-1 on Saturday.

Wilson scored twice for West Ham in a satisfying 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.

Since joining the Hammers as a free agent in the summer, the 33-year-old striker has scored three goals in two games and four goals this season.

Wilson has already done it.

The then Newcastle striker forced his way into Gareth Southgate’s 2022 World Cup squad after missing England since October 2019.

Wilson and Kane were the Three Lions’ top striker options in Qatar at the start of the 2022-23 season, scoring six goals in 10 league games.

Since September 2023, he hasn’t won a cap and has only made two substitute appearances in the group stage.

However, former England goalkeeper Rob Green has tipped the striker to make an England return now that Wilson appears to be back to his best with yet another impressive display at Bournemouth.

Wilson’s first goal was scored by Djordje Petrovic, but his second goalkeeper had no chance with his improvised finish.

According to Green, “Callum Wilson was at his clinical best.”

He scored two excellent goals in two chances. If he continues to play for West Ham for the rest of the season and stays in this kind of form, nothing can prevent him from starting. And at number nine, England has few options.

At the conclusion of his contract, Wilson left Newcastle last summer, and he turned down offers from Saudi Arabia.

With his three goals, West Ham have now won three straight games to help them reclaim the Premier League’s relegation zone.

After the Bournemouth draw, Wilson responded to BBC Final Score with questions about his England chances, saying, “Of course, no player would ever say no.”

Who knows what might happen after I keep my shirt at West Ham and get better, six months from now?

Welbeck is currently enjoying a renaissance at Brighton, and manager Fabian Hurzeler perfectly summed up the forward’s form following the win against Brentford.

Hurzeler claimed in BBC Match of the Day, “He is like a good red wine.”

We are delighted to have him in our squad as a leader, player, and personality because “the older he gets, the better he gets.”

Welbeck has seven goals for the top flight this year, followed by Wilson and Burnley’s Jaidon Anthony, who also has four.

Welbeck’s career has been hampered by injuries, with his most recent appearance in September 2018 putting him out of his 42 England caps and 16 goals.

Welbeck told Sky Sports, “Unfortunately for me in my career, I have had some pretty terrible injuries and things that have kept me out for a long time.”

I’m just happy to be playing football, playing football, and staying healthy.

Former players like Wayne Rooney, who praised his strong start to the season, suggested that Tuchel should enlist him for an England recall for the World Cup qualifiers in November.

Welbeck did not play for Serbia and Albania in the squad, but the Brighton forward claims he is not currently thinking about the World Cup.

He told Sky Sports, “I’ve just always remained never too high and never too low.”

Football can change quickly, so I just always go with the flow and make sure I’m prepared.

I take it week by week, game by game, and feeling great because I turned 35 this week on Wednesday. At 35″, I’ll probably need just a little song to get them to sing for me.