England forward Danny Welbeck has been ruled out for up to nine months and will miss Euro 2016, forcing manager Roy Hodgson to shuffle his 23-man squad.
Danny Welbeck was all set to put 10 months of surgery, rehab, and physio work behind him to rejoin the Three Lions in France. Now instead of fighting for a place in the starting eleven, the quick forward will be forced to spend another ten months on the sideline.
The Arsenal man suffered his second knee injury in a little over a year’s time after last weekend’s match with Manchester City. The showdown at the Etihad was a hard-fought affair that had huge implications on the top-four race but the injury to Welbeck may well be the bigger story.
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England manager Roy Hodgson makes his admiration for Welbeck no secret and was clearly upset at the news as he revealed he would delay the reveal of his preliminary squad for Euro 2016. Hodgson was likely going to use Welbeck as an impact substitute and have him play as a secondary striker to a more traditional target man in Harry Kane.
His versatility in his ability to play out on the wings was also going to be a big factor in him making the squad along with his rapport with other members of the Three Lions. He has also been in good form for the Gunners, scoring five goals including two winners against Leicester City and Norwich City, in 15 appearances. Now Hodgson must get back to the drawing board and perhaps go in a different direction.
There were whispers that Theo Walcott could be a potential replacement for Welbeck simply because he offers the same threat of pace on the wings. His finishing however does leave something to be desired and his inconsistency is well-documented.
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Jamie Vardy, supposedly on the bubble of the squad, would be a far better choice for that role and his willingness to run at defenders and past them would give England a different attacking dimension. Given his scoring form this season, it would be criminal to leave Vardy off the squad even if he is such a late bloomer.
Another player that could be selected is Newcastle United’s Andros Townsend. The winger has been excellent for the relegated club in an otherwise disappointing season and could find himself recalled to the squad by the manager that gave him his England debut in 2013.
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Regardless of who he selects, Roy Hodgson will have to get creative to fill the hole left by the versatile forward. He will have to find a player that has his combination of physicality, pace, and finishing ability and there are not many of those players just waiting to be selected.
The injury came at a terrible time for the striker but the only silver lining is that it gives the England coaching staff adequate time to find his replacement and get them ready for a hopefully lengthy stay in France.