Darren Bent has said he’d take Danny Welbeck over Marcus Rashford, leaving talkSPORT co-host Andy Goldstein stunned.
Bent, one of just 33 members of the Premier League’s 100-goal club, made the audacious claim amid debate over Rashford’s World Cup spot.
The Manchester UnitedForward appears to have overcome a worrying dip and is looking rejuvenated under Erik ten Hag, their new manager.
Rashford has already scored three goals and assisted in two Premier League games this season. This is just one goal away from his total of 2021/22.
That’s seen the 24-year-old re-enter the debate over a spot at the 2022 World Cup, having been dropped from Gareth Southgate’s squad following Euro 2020.
Now back on form there’s hope he can rediscover his best level, but that peak won’t be as good as fellow Manchester-born striker Welbeck.
“I’d still take Welbeck, I still would,” Bent said.
“Benty you know these cameras pick this up and it goes out on social media?” Goldstein replied.
“You’re the only person on the planet that would take Welbeck over Rashford.
“I’m speechless, you think a great Danny Welbeck is better than a great Marcus Rashford?”
Bent replied: “Not now, that’s obviously the difference, but we were talking about in their pomp.
“Yes, Welbeck in his pomp was better.”
Welbeck, who is currently playing for Brighton, has scored 12 goals in 56 matches.
Like Rashford, the striker also broke through the team’s academy before stints at Watford and Arsenal.
Unlike Rashford, he’s a Premier League winner, and managed to force his way into a line-up featuring club greats such as Wayne Rooney.
Rashford is however back on form and can be a sure thing for England if it continues.
Asked if Rashford will be on the plane to Qatar if he keeps his current level, Bent said: “He has to be.
“He looks confident again, he looks direct, he’s not complicating his game, he’s doing the basics well.
“Scoring goals, assisting, and he’s been a problem as well, he’s making an impact whether it’s from the bench or starting.”
