A player who has delivered on the international scene, Danny Welbeck is one who offers something different and something fresh. We sat down with him at Wembley as England and Nike unveiled the 2016 home and away kits.
Looking ahead to another international tournament and the prospect of a whole bunch more England appearances, what does it feel like to be Daniel Welbeck right now?
"Do you know what, it’s just good to be back fit after so long out. It was a difficult period for me to be out so long without playing football, not training or anything like that so being me right now, I’m just so glad to be back playing football, training, playing games and just regaining my sharpness with every single day. It’s been a long time."
What can you remember about watching England when you were growing up? Was it special for you?
"I think the first proper memory that really stands out for me was the Michael Owen goal in France ‘98. That’s something I’ll always remember - it was a really special moment. Just that goal, it was a great goal and my first real vivid England memory. I was seven, I don’t remember it fully but just that Michael Owen memory I remember thinking ah yeah, that is class."
That moment was clearly big for you, can you remember any others?
"I think that moment because it is the first I can really remember is one of the biggest for me but another big moment was a free kick. Becks’ free-kick at Old Trafford against Greece was another huge moment."
Who was the England player you would run around the garden pretending to be?
"I think after that Michael Owen goal it was all about him. It was Michael Owen this and Michael Owen that. There’s so many players you grow up watching in the Premier League, you idolise many players so for me I was watching the likes of Ryan Giggs and Thierry Henry and all these other strikers, I was spoilt for choice."
From Wembley doubles to actual Wembley. Can you describe the emotion of playing here for your country?
"Wembley doubles got pretty emotional didn’t it at times to be fair. But yeah, I think once you actually come to Wembley and see the stadium, it’s beautiful. The history behind it and you know, once you step out at Wembley it’s a special moment. Just like when you put on the kit, it’s one of those moments that you won’t forget. You just want to do yourself and everybody proud and so yeah, it’s a very special special moment."
Your family must be incredibly proud when you suit up for England. Do they play a big part in your motivation?
"I’m motivated by a lot of things but obviously my family play a massive part. They are with you for the bad times and the good times. They are always there for you. For me, I’d been out for ten months now and at the start when I was in crutches and a leg brace and I couldn’t bend my leg or anything my mum and dad came down to London for a couple of months to help look after me. They’re always there looking out for me so you always want to do them proud."
New kit from a fan’s perspective is always exciting. Is it something you look forward to and get excited by?
"Yeah, you are excited because when a new kit comes out, it’s almost like a new chapter. So you’re ready for the next chapter and want to do better than the last time. You do get excited, maybe not as excited as you did when you were a little kid but it’s a great time to get the new kit on as well as make new history."
Are you someone who keeps hold of kit and collects it?
"Yeah, I keep hold of most of my shirts unless someone wants to swap at the end of a game but yeah I tend to keep most of my shirts. Is there one you treasure most? Probably my first goal in an England shirt and my debut shirt. They’re the ones that mean the most... "
What were your first impressions when you saw this one?
"It was impressive. Obviously with it being Nike you become accustomed to expect something special. We obviously expect a white kit but this one is a bit different and a bit more of a bold statement with the red socks so I’m looking forward to putting it on for the first time and yeah, it’s cool."
When it comes to playing for England, you rose through the ranks since the age of 14. Has there been any real mentors for you with England to help you continue on that progression? A lot make it to the under 21s and then struggle to break through that final hurdle...
"I think obviously when you join like I did, I was fourteen when I joined up with the under-16s so you see some players that are talked up a lot and there’s a lot of hype around them and sometimes it doesn’t always work out for them and they don’t always make that next step in progressing to the senior squad. I think the time as you grow up through the England age groups, you learn a lot from all the coaches and the back room staff. It’s a great environment to be in because it really does set you up for the senior squad set up in the future. You’ve obviously got to know that you have to work hard to get to where you want to be. It’s not just the England set up, it’s the club that you represent and grow up at as well. You’ve got to have your family behind you, your friends, so there’s a lot of things that have to come together to make you who you are."
What's the set up like when you go away with England? How does it differ from when you're away with your club?
"It’s very different in that if you go away with your club you will probably go away for one or two days but if you go away with the national side it could be for a 10-day period or if you go to a tournament it could be for a month or so yeah it is very different."
How do you pack for a tournament? You could be away for a month if not more? Is there a limit on the number of trainers you can bring?
"Do you know what, all you need is a pair of trainers for your tracksuit and some leisurewear to wear around the place and the group. To be fair the kit staff sort everything out for you so you don’t really need to bring all that much. You might bring one or two comfy outfits if you decide to go to the cinema out go for a meal with the boys and that so yeah one or two outfits and then you can obviously bring a book or whatever. PlayStation and Xbox, that’s usually all there waiting for you. Table tennis, a games room, you are looked after and you don’t really need to pack much at all."
Who do you room with usually on England duty?
"You get your own rooms so you don’t actually have to share with anyone. I wouldn’t want to room with some of the boys [laughs]."
You've gained a lot of experiences with England, has there been a moment that sticks out most for you that you look back on?
"When you score a goal that really means something in the game is special. For me scoring that back heel against Sweden is something that has meant a lot and I’d probably look back at that as one of the most special moments. Hopefully there’s many more to follow..."
We talked about France 98... although it was a World Cup, the country knows how to put on a party and this euros is going to be huge off the pitch. Do you get that excitement going into a tournament that the fans do?
"At the moment, I don’t really allow myself to get into that level of excitement right now. For me, personally, my mind is focused on trying to stay fit and get myself as sharp as possible. When you’ve been out for such a long time, you come back and you’re not as sharp as you want to be so that takes a bit of time. It can take a few weeks or months for some people but yeah, I’m feeling good and I just want to get as sharp as possible and get as many minutes on the pitch as possible."
When you think back to previous tournaments that you’ve been involved in. Is it possible for players to get the same excited feeling as fans or is it more a mixture of nerves and anxiety?
"No, I think the excitement is good, you kind of thrive on it really and you just want to be able to do the best you can so it’s not something I get anxious by. I obviously can’t speak for anyone else but I think most of the players just want to get out there and get playing so it’s a positive excitement."
From PlayStation games to sticker albums. Does the fact that you're included in all that stuff, like you being able to play as yourself on FIFA, ever wear off? It must be an awesome feeling?
"Yeah, yeah it is. I think it’s more surreal for those people close to me. People who have got younger siblings and stuff like that and they’ve got a picture of you in their sticker book or they are playing as you on FIFA and I think they find it more surreal than me purely because I think I’ve become just more accustomed to it now. I know the way it all works. For people like my friends, I think they find they find that more weird than me."
What's it like playing in front of travelling England fans? They're an incredibly passionate bunch.
"Yeah absolutely, I think when we play away from home with England, the atmosphere is always a joke [it is so good]. It’s a great atmosphere and you can feel the passion from the fans and it really drives you on when you’re on the pitch. When you get a full house at Wembley too, this is our home and it drives us on. A full house with the crowd behind you, there’s no feeling like it."
Obviously that game against Wales is a biggie. Have you and Aaron Ramsey exchanged any words on that yet?
"When’s that? [jokes]. Yeah we have a few words here and there. Nothing major just a couple of one liners here and there but to be honest it’s not something we’ve given much thought. It’s more just about looking at the next game ahead at the moment."
You've played in the world's best stadiums. Is the prospect of playing in new ones in France one you look forward too?
"I think once you’ve experienced playing in so many different environments, so many different stadiums and so many places around the whole world you kind of go to a new ground with excitement but at the end of the day it’s about the football pitch that you’re there to play on rather than the ground you’re playing in. You know what I mean? It’s always about playing the game and not the occasion and that is something that has been instilled in me since I was a young kid and I always just try to do every game, just play the match and enjoy the occasion."
It's a youthful squad and an exciting future for England, do you feel like the pressure is off at all going into this tournament?
"Each and every single player puts pressure on themselves because they want to excel on the stage they’re at right now and I think everyone thrives off that. Once you put pressure on yourself, you always want to do the best you can do and I think obviously with the squad there is a lot of youth in there but there’s a lot of experience in there as well so it’s a good blend and hopefully we can do as well as possible."
When you see yourself playing for England, you've scored a beautiful Lob, a chilled back heel - is there one type of finish you'd love to add?
"I wouldn’t mind a screamer from 25 yards and I wouldn’t mind a cross that goes in off my backside. So long as it crosses the line and goes in the back of the net, I think a goals a goal. Obviously it’s nice to score a nice little banger or a cheeky goal too."
Finally, what's the greatest thing about being part of the England squad and the set up as a whole?
"It’s the feeling of putting on an England kit, for your country and also to experience such great moments like going to tournaments, going to different countries playing in different environments and overall it’s such a great experience as a whole to go to tournaments."
Danny Welbeck wears England's new 16/17 Revolution Knit Track Jacket. The 2016 Enland Home and Away kits are built for speed with revolutionary Nike Aeroswift innovation. Visit nike.com for more information. You can pick one up, here.
