New Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck has been desperate to play centrally for England, admits Roy Hodgson
The Evening Standard's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Roy Hodgson has praised the professionalism of Danny Welbeck following the striker’s two-goal show downed Switzerland in Basel, as England won their opening Euro 2016 qualifier.
Welbeck moved to Arsenal for £16million one week ago because he became frustrated at playing out wide at Manchester United.
In Basle he got his chance through the middle and he repaid his manager handsomely, shinning Sterling's pass in at the back post to put England ahead.
Switzerland v England: Player Ratings
And the 23-year-old kept his cool to slot Rickie Lambert's pass home in the 94th minute following another counter-attack.
Welbeck has been desperate to play up front for a long time.
"I speak to him often and he has always said his best position is centre-forward, but he understands fully that position wasn't available to him in the past in an England shirt," Hodgson said.
"He has never complained. He's always said he'd play where I wanted him to play, but I've never been left in doubt that he wanted to play centrally."
Vladimir Petkovic admitted Switzerland were given a real lesson by England in his first match in charge.
"It's a good lesson we've been taught tonight," he said.
"We started nervously and committed costly errors."
