Category Sports News

An unexpected name appeared on Danny Welbeck’s phone after Brighton reached the FA Cup quarter-finals thanks to the extra-time winner against Newcastle.

He claimed that Sir Alex Ferguson called me after the Newcastle goal, according to Football Focus.

He discussed the performance and the goal. He was buzzing and seemed to have that kind of connection. He is a manager who is constantly looking out for his players, constantly wants the best for them, and maintains contact with them.

Welbeck’s professional career began with Ferguson at Manchester United, where he was a member of the squad that won the 2013 Premier League.

As the Seagulls prepare to face Nottingham Forest in the quarter-finals on Saturday, the striker will help them win the FA Cup twice when he moves to Arsenal the following year.

It was a good pair of managers for him to have worked with, and two of whom he claims have had an influence on who he is today, with Ferguson and then Arsene Wenger.

Arsene Wenger had success in his own way, he continued, “Sir Alex Ferguson had success in his own way.” There are many different ways to succeed.

“They two played a significant role in my life, not just my career,” I said.

Watch Welbeck’s full interview on BBC One’s Football Focus on Saturday, March 29, at 30 GMT.

Welbeck is currently employed by Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler.

Welbeck is 34 years old, two years older than Hurzeler, but the German has had a significant influence on the veteran forward, which has enabled him to produce some of his best work of his career.

He has seven Premier League goals so far this season, more than he has managed in any of his previous four games with the Seagulls.

Welbeck compared Hurzeler to Hurzeler, noting that “His age is never a topic around the training ground.” That speaks volumes about him, I believe.

He stated, “From the first time we met, he was so authoritative and crystal clear about what he was saying.” He is just the manager, and I never consider his age.

Hurzeler has continued his success with Graham Potter and Roberto de Zerbi’s excellent work this season, making the club competitive for Europe.

Welbeck hopes to make amends for Brighton’s FA Cup runaway success this term, which they did in 1983.

He continued, “I’ve had some really special experiences with the FA Cup.”

The memories that will stick with you forever are the true highlights of my career.

Welbeck’s career has been hampered by injuries despite having won a sizable amount of silverware.

He previously had knee surgery and missed 42 games at Arsenal because of his broken ankle, which caused him to miss almost a year.

However, he has managed to avoid major injuries this season, which has allowed him to experience some of his best performances of his career.

As he sits alongside Pascal Gross at the age of 30, he is one goal away from becoming Brighton’s undisputed all-time top scorer in the Premier League.

In the past, I’ve had a lot of injuries, including knee injuries, people who fell into your knee, and people who fell awkwardly on your feet,” said Welbeck.

There are times when it’s difficult to go through them, but they have helped me become a better player and person because there is always something positive to consider when things turn bad.

In those challenging circumstances, I always try to see the positive and strive to improve.

After Danny Welbeck scored the extra-time winner against Newcastle to send Brighton into the FA Cup quarter-finals, an unexpected name popped up on his mobile phone.

“[Sir Alex Ferguson] actually phoned me after the Newcastle goal,” he told Football Focus.

“He talked about the goal and the performance. He was buzzing and to have that sort of connection, he is a manager who is always looking out for his players, always wants the best for them, and still to this day is in contact.”

Welbeck’s career started under Ferguson at Manchester United where he was part of the squad that won the Premier League in 2013.

The striker moved to Arsenal the following year and helped them to lift the FA Cup twice, something he is now hoping to help Brighton achieve as the Seagulls prepare to host Nottingham Forest in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

With Ferguson and then Arsene Wenger, it was not a bad pair of managers for him to have worked under, and two who he says influence who he is today.

“Sir Alex Ferguson got success in his own way, Arsene Wenger had success in his way,” he added. There’s different ways to reach success.

“Them two managers played a huge part in my life, not just my career.”

Watch the full interview with Welbeck on Football Focus, BBC One, Saturday 29 March 11:30 GMT.

Welbeck is now working under Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton.

At 34, Welbeck is two years older than Hurzeler but the German has had a strong impact on the veteran forward that has helped him produce some of the best form of his career.

He has hit seven Premier League goals so far this season – more than he has managed in any of his previous four campaigns at the Seagulls.

“His age is never a topic around the training ground,” Welbeck said of Hurzeler. “I think that speaks volumes of him.

“From the first meeting with the group he was so authoritative and so clear with his ideas. Now I never think about his age, he is just the manager.”

Hurzeler has continued the good work of his predecessors Graham Potter and Roberto de Zerbi, and he has the club challenging for Europe this season.

But Brighton have never won the FA Cup, finishing runners-up in 1983, and Welbeck hopes to rectify that this term.

“I’ve had some really special times with the FA Cup,” he added.

“It has been proper highlights of my career and they are memories that stay with you forever.

Despite having won an impressive amount of silverware, Welbeck’s career has been hampered by injuries.

He previously had almost a year out after knee surgery and also missed 42 games at Arsenal because of a broken ankle.

This season, however, has seen him stay largely injury free and that has helped him to enjoy some of the best form of his career.

He is now one goal away from becoming Brighton’s outright all-time top scorer in the Premier League as he sits on 30 alongside Pascal Gross.

“I’ve been really unlucky with injuries in the past – contact ones like knee injuries, people falling into your knee and you fall into awkward positions,” said Welbeck.

“It is difficult to go through those moments but they have made me a better person and a better player because there’s always positive you can look into with the negative side of things.

“I always try to see the positive and try to make myself better in those difficult situations.”

France vs. Scotland at the Women’s Six Nations

Location: Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle Date: Saturday, March 29 Kick-off: 13:00 GMT

Evie Gallagher has been suspended from Saturday’s Women’s Six Nations game against France, but now Scotland head coach Bryan Easson has chosen Jade Konkel to replace her.

It is the only change from Scotland’s victory over Wales in the tournament’s opening round.

After being investigated for an illegal clear-out on Wales’ replacement hooker Kelsey Jones, Gallagher was sent a red card last weekend and was then banned for one game.

Konkel, a 19-year-old Harlequins forward, made her Scottish debut in 2013, and Easson anticipates her to be comfortable playing in the side.

Jade Easson praised her for having a lot of experience.

“I was obviously disappointed by Evie,” she said. She performed so well, dominating in and around breakdown situations.

Molly Poolman and Becky Boyd, both of whom are expected to make debuts, might make their debuts.

After her try against Wales, Leah Bartlett is still on the bench.

France defeated Ireland 27-15 in Belfast last weekend, and they will have a sold-out crowd cheering them on in La Rochelle for Scotland’s visit.

“La Rochelle is some place, and I believe it’s sold out,” said Evans. They will be there for warm up and will bring the entire town out.

We have made it very clear to the group of players who haven’t played in France before about their expectations because I believe it’s crucial that they comprehend.

In the previous year’s match against France, Scotland led 5-3 at half-time before ultimately falling 15-5 in Edinburgh.

France are a strong nation, but I thought our last game against France was excellent, according to Easson. We must have faith in that, they say.

We need to take confidence from the game’s unbeaten start to finish. We need to come away with conviction from our performance against Wales.

“We’ve won 13 of our previous 17 games,” the team said. Every game must be viewed as a valuable opportunity by us.

Rollie, Lloyd, Orr, Thomson, McGhee, Nelson, Brebner-Holden, Young, Skeldon, Clarke, Cunningham, Bonar, Malcolm (capt), McLachlan, Konkel, and others.

France vs. Scotland at the Women’s Six Nations

Location: Stade Marcel-Deflandre, La Rochelle Date: Saturday, March 29 Kick-off: 13:00 GMT

Evie Gallagher has been suspended from Saturday’s Women’s Six Nations game against France, but now Scotland head coach Bryan Easson has chosen Jade Konkel to replace her.

It is the only change from Scotland’s victory over Wales in the tournament’s opening round.

After being investigated for an illegal clear-out on Wales’ replacement hooker Kelsey Jones, Gallagher was sent a red card last weekend and was then banned for one game.

Konkel, a 19-year-old Harlequins forward, made her Scottish debut in 2013, and Easson anticipates her to be comfortable playing in the side.

Jade Easson praised her for having a lot of experience.

“I was obviously disappointed by Evie,” she said. She performed so well, dominating in and around breakdown situations.

Molly Poolman and Becky Boyd, both of whom are expected to make debuts, might make their debuts.

After her try against Wales, Leah Bartlett is still on the bench.

France defeated Ireland 27-15 in Belfast last weekend, and they will have a sold-out crowd cheering them on in La Rochelle for Scotland’s visit.

“La Rochelle is some place, and I believe it’s sold out,” said Evans. They will be there for warm up and will bring the entire town out.

We have made it very clear to the group of players who haven’t played in France before about their expectations because I believe it’s crucial that they comprehend.

In the previous year’s match against France, Scotland led 5-3 at half-time before ultimately falling 15-5 in Edinburgh.

France are a strong nation, but I thought our last game against France was excellent, according to Easson. We must have faith in that, they say.

We need to take confidence from the game’s unbeaten start to finish. We need to come away with conviction from our performance against Wales.

“We’ve won 13 of our previous 17 games,” the team said. Every game must be viewed as a valuable opportunity by us.

Rollie, Lloyd, Orr, Thomson, McGhee, Nelson, Brebner-Holden, Young, Skeldon, Clarke, Cunningham, Bonar, Malcolm (capt), McLachlan, Konkel, and others.

To what lengths would you go to fulfil your dreams?

Even if that chance does arise, but you’re probably (or very definitely) underqualified, do you take your shot?

As much as I want a spot on the line-up at Glastonbury, things would go south pretty quickly once Emily Eavis and co realised I can’t sing or play an instrument.

What about when a footballer says they will play in goal as long as they get in the team. Would you really, mate? Sounds like a great idea until the ball is being picked out of the net for the eighth time.

Which brings us to Dan Lawrence, England’s makeshift opener for three Tests last summer after Zak Crawley suffered a broken finger. A middle-order batter by trade, a place at the top of the order looked about as comfortable as the back end of a pantomime horse.

Still, the Surrey man had his chance. Put in Lawrence’s position, who can honestly say they would have declined?

Granted, Lawrence is in a vastly superior position to open for England than yours truly headlining the Pyramid Stage. He opened in his younger days and batting is batting, right?

Yes and no. Opening is a specialist position, suited to some and not others. The challenge of fresh pace bowlers armed with a new ball. The decisions of whether to play or leave, attack or defend, how best to set the tone for those who follow.

For Lawrence, a natural aggressor, an internal battle with what an opener should bat like was one he ultimately did not win.

“I struggled with the balance of wanting to play a certain style, which is really aggressive, and the other part in my head saying ‘you’re an opener; you need to see off the new ball’,” says Lawrence.

It’s hard not to feel for him. An entire 14-Test career has been stop-start. Just as Lawrence looked most at home, batting at number four on the 2022 West Indies tour that ended Joe Root’s reign as captain, he got injured to be ruled out of the beginning of Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum regime.

Those early Bazballing days may have been a perfect fit for Lawrence, but instead the former Essex player had to wait more than two years between caps, carrying drinks in all parts of the globe.

Against Sri Lanka, scores of 30 and 34 in the first Test at Old Trafford were encouraging, only to be followed by three in single figures.

“The messaging in the England dressing room is be as free as you want to be,” Lawrence says. “It was just the pressure I put on myself.

“I was really desperate to keep a spot. I’d waited a long time. When you get that chance you want to make the most of it.”

The second innings in the third Test at The Oval was Lawrence’s final opportunity to remain in the team, or at least get a spot on a winter tour. A skittish run-a-ball 35 was the knock of a man necking pints in the last chance saloon. It looked worse in the context of a sloppy England defeat.

“I thought ‘if it is my last innings, I want to go out on my own terms’,” he says. “I just thought ‘I’m going to go out there and try to give it a smack’.

“I wouldn’t normally want to play that aggressively, but I thought I’d have some fun and see what happens.”

It wasn’t enough. Lawrence was overlooked for the tours of Pakistan and New Zealand, and knows he needs stacks of runs for Surrey to get back in the frame.

It might be that one door closing opens another. As England regenerate their white-ball teams, Lawrence could be one to benefit.

“When I first started the white-ball team was incredibly hard to get into, a brilliant side that was winning all the time,” says Lawrence.

“Now there’s an opportunity to put my name in the mix. There are some serious players, but no reason why I can’t be involved in that conversation.”

For various reasons – usually because of what the players say – England have been the subject of criticism for not caring enough.

The truth is the players care deeply and, while Lawrence articulates his disappointment, he is not bitter at being asked to perform an unfamiliar role, then dropped when it did not work out.

“I would have felt fairly hard done by had I not opened the batting, having been around the team for that long,” says Lawrence.

“If someone says ‘do you want to go and open the batting for England?’ I don’t think it’s an unfair thing. It’s an honour and really exciting.

“It didn’t pan out but, if it did, then who knows where I would be right now?

To what lengths would you go to fulfil your dreams?

Even if that chance does arise, but you’re probably (or very definitely) underqualified, do you take your shot?

As much as I want a spot on the line-up at Glastonbury, things would go south pretty quickly once Emily Eavis and co realised I can’t sing or play an instrument.

What about when a footballer says they will play in goal as long as they get in the team. Would you really, mate? Sounds like a great idea until the ball is being picked out of the net for the eighth time.

Which brings us to Dan Lawrence, England’s makeshift opener for three Tests last summer after Zak Crawley suffered a broken finger. A middle-order batter by trade, a place at the top of the order looked about as comfortable as the back end of a pantomime horse.

Still, the Surrey man had his chance. Put in Lawrence’s position, who can honestly say they would have declined?

Granted, Lawrence is in a vastly superior position to open for England than yours truly headlining the Pyramid Stage. He opened in his younger days and batting is batting, right?

Yes and no. Opening is a specialist position, suited to some and not others. The challenge of fresh pace bowlers armed with a new ball. The decisions of whether to play or leave, attack or defend, how best to set the tone for those who follow.

For Lawrence, a natural aggressor, an internal battle with what an opener should bat like was one he ultimately did not win.

“I struggled with the balance of wanting to play a certain style, which is really aggressive, and the other part in my head saying ‘you’re an opener; you need to see off the new ball’,” says Lawrence.

It’s hard not to feel for him. An entire 14-Test career has been stop-start. Just as Lawrence looked most at home, batting at number four on the 2022 West Indies tour that ended Joe Root’s reign as captain, he got injured to be ruled out of the beginning of Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum regime.

Those early Bazballing days may have been a perfect fit for Lawrence, but instead the former Essex player had to wait more than two years between caps, carrying drinks in all parts of the globe.

Against Sri Lanka, scores of 30 and 34 in the first Test at Old Trafford were encouraging, only to be followed by three in single figures.

“The messaging in the England dressing room is be as free as you want to be,” Lawrence says. “It was just the pressure I put on myself.

“I was really desperate to keep a spot. I’d waited a long time. When you get that chance you want to make the most of it.”

The second innings in the third Test at The Oval was Lawrence’s final opportunity to remain in the team, or at least get a spot on a winter tour. A skittish run-a-ball 35 was the knock of a man necking pints in the last chance saloon. It looked worse in the context of a sloppy England defeat.

“I thought ‘if it is my last innings, I want to go out on my own terms’,” he says. “I just thought ‘I’m going to go out there and try to give it a smack’.

“I wouldn’t normally want to play that aggressively, but I thought I’d have some fun and see what happens.”

It wasn’t enough. Lawrence was overlooked for the tours of Pakistan and New Zealand, and knows he needs stacks of runs for Surrey to get back in the frame.

It might be that one door closing opens another. As England regenerate their white-ball teams, Lawrence could be one to benefit.

“When I first started the white-ball team was incredibly hard to get into, a brilliant side that was winning all the time,” says Lawrence.

“Now there’s an opportunity to put my name in the mix. There are some serious players, but no reason why I can’t be involved in that conversation.”

For various reasons – usually because of what the players say – England have been the subject of criticism for not caring enough.

The truth is the players care deeply and, while Lawrence articulates his disappointment, he is not bitter at being asked to perform an unfamiliar role, then dropped when it did not work out.

“I would have felt fairly hard done by had I not opened the batting, having been around the team for that long,” says Lawrence.

“If someone says ‘do you want to go and open the batting for England?’ I don’t think it’s an unfair thing. It’s an honour and really exciting.

“It didn’t pan out but, if it did, then who knows where I would be right now?