Manchester United and England striker Daniel Welbeck is misjudged and does not deserve the stick he gets for lack of finishing, in the eyes of former Red Devil Clayton Blackmore.
Welbeck, 23, who started for England in their debut World Cup fixture against Italy yesterday, was subject to criticism last season with supporters complaining of his goal-scoring record being considerably less than that of other forwards in the Premier League.
Over the course of the 2013/2014 season Welbeck netted nine Premier League goals for Man United, which is 22 less than the top scorer, Liverpool’s Luis Suarez, and eight less than his Man United team mate Wayne Rooney.
Ex-United man Blackmore, 49, who played as a defender, midfielder and emergency forward, explained that it is not easy to judge a player on his ability as a goal-scorer if he is played in different positions throughout the season. He made reference to the fact Welbeck was not always played in his primary position as a forward, instead having been played on either of the wings.
He told Football Express News: “People can’t judge a striker on the number of goals they score when they’re played in different positions and not the one being set up to score.
“Danny’s played a lot out wide for United and he’s a very unselfish player, he’s happy to get back and let someone else go for a goal and he can play defensively as well.”
Blackmore said the reason Welbeck’s goal-scoring ability for England is considered better than that for Man United is simply the fact he has been played more often in the centre forward position in his appearances for the national team.
“They play Danny mostly up top for England. When you’re playing in centre-forward you’ve got more chance of scoring goals as you have the midfield behind you setting you up.”