Danny Welbeck and Jake Livermore England call-ups are good sign as it shows Gareth Southgate is adopting successful Germany model

PEOPLE need to get out of this mentality that an international call-up is a reward for a few improved performances.

Gareth Southgate‘s selection should be purely based on delivering success — however that may be deemed — in Russia this summer.

Getty

Reuters

His decision to call up Danny Welbeck for the upcoming friendlies against Holland and Italy was greeted by derision by some, due to his lack of playing time at Arsenal.

But what has poor club form really got to do with international football?

Germany manager Joachim Low has always maintained a core of “certainties” in his team selections, and they always included regardless of their club form.

Welbeck’s record for England is impressive, and Southgate should capitalise on that, using the German model as a blueprint.

PA:Press Association

PA:Press Association

In 22 competitive appearances, Welbeck has 12 goals which is very impressive given he’s never been a regular starter. for England

Jake Livermore is another inclusion which raise some eyebrows.

BRAVE NEW WORLD Lionel Messi, Mesut Ozil and James Rodriguez launch retro Argentina, Germany and Colombia kits ahead of World Cup

But he has played well under Southgate, despite struggling at club level, and the manager should call up players he feels he can rely on.

In the season leading up the 2014 World Cup, Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski had just 15 league goals — the same as the leading German goal scorer in the Bundesliga, Stefan Kiessling, who didn’t make the squad.

EPA

Meanwhile, Mesut Ozil was bereft of confidence after a hugely underwhelming first season at Arsenal, but there was never any question of whether any of trio would be included.

Klose has never been a prolific goal scorer at club level — only twice managing more than 15 in one league season, both of which came before 2006.

But he is the leading marksman in World Cup history, and was a key member of Germany’s success four years ago.

Now, I’m not suggesting for a second that Welbeck is as good as Klose or could have anywhere near as great an impact as the former Bayern Munich and Lazio striker.

But his England record speaks for itself and Southgate needs to focus on the long-term.

Getty Images

Just because someone like Glenn Murray is enjoying an improved season, does not mean he deserves an England call-up.

His addition to the squad should only be welcome if Southgate decided he would actually present another option, or fit in with the system he wants to play.

An injury to Michael Ballack ahead of 2010 World Cup saw Low decide to build his team in South Africa around several of the players which had won the Under 21 Championship a year earlier.

Since then, there have rarely been any surprises to his selection.

And, in the five major tournaments he has taken them to, Germany have reached three semi-finals, a final and were winners in Brazil.

Historically, established players included in tournament squads on the back of one good season rarely succeed for England, so perhaps it is time to change tack.

REUTERS

Getty

Southgate needs to find a group of around 15 players he can rely on who will be included regardless of club form as this will provide a good understanding between the group going forward.

While they may not appeal to everyone, he needs to take control and choose the players he wants.

This summer’s tournament could even simply be used as preparation. Like Germany, the group could grow together before gaining the momentum to mount serious challenges in the future.

England need to look elsewhere for inspiration as it is now widely accepted the Tree Lions are not in a position to challenge for major honours.

And, perhaps, four-time world champions Germany is a good place to start.