Exciting New Chapter for England Football Under Thomas Tuchel: Glen Johnson Advocates for Brighton’s Dunk and Welbeck

As England embarks on a transformative journey under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel in March, former Three Lions right-back Glen Johnson has expressed strong support for Brighton’s dynamic duo, Lewis Dunk and Danny Welbeck, to play pivotal roles in this new era. Johnson highlighted that both players stand to gain significantly from Tuchel’s innovative strategies and Brighton’s impressive push for European football qualification, which can provide an ideal platform for their talents to shine.

Welbeck was a frequent name on the England roster during the tenure of Sir Gareth Southgate, showcasing his abilities until a series of unfortunate injuries hindered his performances in the 2018-19 season. His last appearance in an international fixture took place during a friendly against Switzerland at the King Power Stadium in September 2018. This match was memorable for many who attended, as it followed an exhilarating day of racing at Leicester Racecourse, culminating in one of the finest curry meals they had ever experienced.

Meanwhile, Lewis Dunk, despite deserving a greater number of international caps, has consistently proven himself as one of the Premier League’s top centre-backs from 2019 to 2023, demonstrating both defensive prowess and exceptional ball-handling skills. Despite captaining Brighton to a commendable sixth place finish and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals under manager Roberto De Zerbi, Dunk often found himself overlooked by Southgate, raising eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.

The only speculative conclusion drawn from his lack of selection was a humorous notion that Dunk may have inadvertently offended Southgate during his two rare call-ups in October and November 2018. Nonetheless, Southgate eventually reconsidered and included Dunk in the squad for the upcoming 2023-24 season, a decision that seemed peculiar given Dunk’s decline in form during a challenging season with Brighton.

Under the interim guidance of Lee Carsley, Dunk was again left out of the England Under-21 squad, a situation that, although less controversial, reflected the ongoing challenges he faced under Southgate. This season, some critics have questioned whether Dunk remains an automatic starter for Brighton, especially after his extended absence due to a calf injury, which saw the impressive Igor Julio step in and perform admirably alongside Jan Paul van Hecke.

However, Johnson has not observed any significant decline in Dunk’s performance as of the 2024-25 season. With Southgate’s departure and Tuchel’s arrival, Johnson is optimistic that the fresh start could help both Dunk and Welbeck reclaim their places on the England team. Johnson asserts, “Danny Welbeck and Lewis Dunk are both players who are having great seasons and they have chances of getting into that England squad.”

He pointed out that while Welbeck has competition in his position, the new perspective from Tuchel could open doors for him if he continues to deliver strong performances. Johnson added, “Dunk would have a better chance at making the England squad than Welbeck; the centre-back position has been a weak point for us recently and feels more accessible.”

“He’s another who would have to kick on a bit, but with a good run of form, he could easily find himself back in the England mix,” Johnson emphasized, noting Brighton’s resilience this season. “They’re looking impressive, with a tight-knit team that fights for one another, which reflects in their results on the pitch.”

Although some Brighton supporters may debate Johnson’s assessment of Dunk’s current season, the case for Welbeck’s England recall is compelling, especially leading into the November international break. Welbeck made a remarkable impact by scoring six goals in the first nine Premier League matches, which is significant considering his best season in the last eleven years saw him score just seven goals during the entire 2013-14 season.

Unfortunately, a late November injury sidelined Welbeck for seven matches, underscoring his importance to Brighton, as the team struggled to secure victories in his absence. Upon his return for a crucial match against Manchester United, where Brighton won 3-1, he was joined by Dunk, who also returned from injury, highlighting their combined influence on the squad.

England’s first matches under Tuchel will be home World Cup Qualifiers against Albania and Latvia at the end of March. Dunk and Welbeck now face the challenge of staying fit, contributing to Brighton’s aspirations for European qualification, and making a lasting impression on the new England head coach. It remains to be seen if Johnson’s optimistic predictions will come to fruition. Just a friendly reminder: steer clear of any pets in the process!