England’s hero and Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck has revealed that there was a three-year relentless approach by Ghana to make him switch nationality to play for the Black Stars.
The Black Stars wanted the Manchester-born striker to switch allegiance to his parents’ homeland but the former Manchester United attacker was determined to wear the Three Lions shirt.
Had Danny Welbeck not held on to a dream he would have been preparing for tonight’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Togo in Lome with the Black Stars.
Now the 23-year-old has put England in charge of Euro 2016 qualifying Group E by scoring all he two goals for the Three Lions in their opening group win.
It could all have been very different, however, had Welbeck not ended a three-year pursuit by Ghana, rejecting a personal invitation in 2011 from Kwesi Appiah, who went on to become the country’s national coach.
Appiah held talks with Welbeck in the Players Lounge at the Stadium of Light after a match during his loan spell there. The approach was the latest in a long line of bids from the Black Stars to tempt him away.
During his time playing for England at Under-17, 18, 19 and 21 levels, Daniel Nii Tackie Mensah Welbeck – to give him his full name – was pursued relentlessly to represent the homeland of both his parents.
He was first targeted at 17 with Fred Pappoe, vice-president of the Ghana FA, adamant that he represented the future of the first team.
Three years later, Asamoah Gyan – star of the African side’s run to the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals – joined the bid to tempt his former Sunderland team-mate to join the four-time African Champions.
Yet despite his position down the pecking order at both Manchester United and international level, Welbeck – backed by brothers Chris and Wayne and the rest of his family – resisted the offers to switch allegiances.
He is now poised to reap the rewards.
“What he is experiencing now has been a long time coming,” a friend told Mirror Sport. “It was obviously tough when Ghana came along. It was a great honour, a massive honour. But it was also like choosing between your parents.
“His family have always been behind him though and Daniel has always had full belief in his ability. He never gave up on his ambition to play for England.”
Soon after Welbeck made his England debut in March 2011 – ironically against Ghana – Sir Alex Ferguson revealed he had advised the frontman to reject the overtures from the Black Stars.
Fabio Capello also identified Welbeck as one of this country’s big emerging talents shortly before the end of his controversial reign.
That did not stop Pappoe launching a renewed bid to land the striker, insisting Welbeck had made a mistake and that he had been underused by England.
It was then that Appiah – no.2 at the time – also made his bid to try and lure him away. Welbeck, however, stuck to his guns.
The friend went on, however: “We have always known how good he is and even when people were not considering him as a realistic candidate to represent England at senior level, he has never given up.”
Source: GHANASOCCERNET