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Should resurgent Welbeck be on the radar for a Nations League call-up?

Only Erling Haaland, Bryan Mbeumo, Chris Wood and Cole Palmer have scored more goals in the Premier League this season than Danny Welbeck. The 33-year-old has found the back of the net six times in just nine games for Brighton with the former Arsenal and Manchester United striker enjoying an unexpected renaissance.

It is somewhat ironic that in a team full of young talent, someone of Welbeck’s vintage is shining brightest for Brighton this season. However, the veteran centre forward is playing at such a high level he should be on Lee Carsley’s radar for a call-up to the England squad for the upcoming Nations League matches.

England have some work to do if they are to finish top of their Nations League group with Greece currently leading the way in League B Group 2 after their shock victory at Wembley earlier this month. With Harry Kane currently carrying an injury which ruled him out of the games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland, Carsley might have to explore other options.

Of course, Ollie Watkins is likely to be part of the squad having recently been a regular fixture in the England team. Dominic Solanke could also keep his place in the squad after being called up for October’s international window. Welbeck, however, is out-scoring both Solanke and Watkins in the Premier League right now.

Welbeck has never received the credit he has warranted over the course of his career. He was an integral part of the last Manchester United team to win the Premier League and has scored goals consistently whenever he has been fit. Injuries have been a problem for Welbeck, but he is firing on all cylinders at the moment. There’s no sign of him slowing down.

“I knew [when I came] he had great talent and he’s a great team-mate and very supportive,” said Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler when recently asked about Welbeck. “He’s not only a great footballer but a great team-mate and personality. He has a feeling for the dynamics of the team and he tries to connect the players. That’s very important for me.”

Brighton are a modern team with a high-energy style of play that has got the best out of Welbeck as a mobile frontman. The 33-year-old has always been an extremely intelligent player in terms of his movement and Hurzeler has used this to great effect with the likes of Joao Pedro and Kaoru Mitoma comfortable playing off him. England could use Welbeck’s cohesion qualities in a similar way.

The England squad Carsley picks for next month’s Nations League games will be the final one the former midfielder selects before handing over the reins to Thomas Tuchel. The former Bayern Munich, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss will have his own ideas when he takes over as Three Lions manager at the start of 2025.

Before that happens, though, Carsley can reward a player who deserves some recognition for his unlikely resurgence by handing Welbeck a return to international football. While the 33-year-old might not be a part of England’s future, his call-up would say something to other players hoping to force their way back into the national team. It would offer encouragement to all.

Even if Welbeck is overlooked for an England call-up, this season promises much more for the Brighton centre forward. The Seagulls are flying high under Hurzeler and could qualify for European football if they can continue on their current upward trajectory. If that were to happen, Welbeck’s contribution will have been crucial.