Welbeck facing international dilemma over Ghana or England allegiance

Published on: 20 February 2011

Danny Welbeck has revealed he is facing emotional turmoil over which country to pledge his international future to.

The 20-year-old has represented England from Under-16 level up to the Under-21 and it had seemed like a formality that he would play for the senior England team.

Yet, in recent weeks, the Ghana Football Association has made a concerted effort to get the on-loan Sunderland striker to play for them.

Welbeck was born in England, but qualifies to play for the West African country through his Ghanaian parents. World Cup quarter-finalists, Ghana, are due to meet England in a showpiece friendly next month, which will further increase calls for the player to decide.

A source close to Welbeck said: “He loves Ghana and is proud of his Ghanaian heritage but he also loves England .

“It looks like he has a genuine chance to play for either national side and with the upcoming fixture between Ghana and England; the decision doesn’t get any easier. He is genuinely torn.”

Assistant Ghana coach Kwasi Appiah met with the player in February to try and gauge how he felt on playing for the Black Stars.

During the discussions Welbeck was non-committal but it was made clear to him that he is wanted by the Ghanaians.

Before his recent knee injury, his partnership with Sunderland’s Asamoah Gyan had yielded six goals for the rookie striker.

His injury also prevented England manager Fabio Capello from including him in last month’s friendly against Hungary , giving the GFA fresh hope of snatching their man.

And his team-mate Gyan is determined to see their club form replicated at international level.

Gyan said: “We have to pursue him to play for the national team but I cannot decide for him. If he comes to the national I will be happy to play with Danny.

“He will decide but for now the ball is in his court. He loves Ghana and watches our matches but said they are few things for him to decide on so we have to wait.”

Source: Daily Mirror

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