The veteran striker is enjoying one of the most productive starts of his Premier League career and as a result, is attracting serious attention from England head coach Thomas Tuchel, who has been personally monitoring fringe candidates. Welbeck just turned 35 years old but has started the season in outstanding form.
He is the Premier League’s top-scoring Englishman and crucially some of his seven goals have come in high-profile matches against Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester United - underlining his ability to deliver on big occasions.
England sources say Tuchel has been impressed with Welbeck and claim the coaching staff see him as a genuine potential back-up to captain Harry Kane, offering experience and reliability inside the penalty area - qualities that are in short supply among England’s other options.
Despite earning 42 caps and scoring 16 goals for his country, injuries have disrupted Welbeck’s career and he has not featured for England since September 2018.
He was overlooked for the most recent squad against Serbia and Albania - but Tuchel has kept him in mind while Welbeck has remained focused on club duties.
Insiders say Welbeck would be open to a recall and that Jordan Henderson’s recent return to the England fold is proof that the door could reopen.
Tuchel has vowed to contact every player on England’s extended list to outline what is required to make the World Cup squad - and Welbeck is understood to be among those with a chance to come back into contention.
He faces Nottingham Forest on Sunday, looking to make another step towards an unlikely seat on the plane to the United States of America next summer.