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Danny Welbeck vying to equal David Beckham’s England goal record at 2018 World Cup

Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck is vying to equal, or indeed surpass, David Beckham’s England goal record, which stands at 17, at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, having hit the back of the net against Costa Rica on Thursday in a 2-0 pre-tournament friendly victory at Elland Road.

The 27-year-old, who began his career at the ‘Red Devils’, is subsequently just one notch behind the former Manchester United and Real Madrid legend after nodding past Real Madrid’s Keylor Navas during his 39th ‘Three Lions’ outing, and the adaptable attacker insists that he only wants to bolster his tally over the summer, a promising pledge in terms of ambition and prosperity on the planet’s biggest stage.

Gareth Southgate’s 23-man contingent is vastly inexperienced and Welbeck, a recognised and trusted senior figure, is the national set-up’s most prolific offensive threat, ahead of the likes of Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy and Marcus Rashford amongst others.

Speaking to the media – via Goal – ‘Dat Guy’ ultimately isn’t travelling to the World Cup to play a passive part in proceedings, as he wants to ‘achieve’ his own personal aspirations in front of the target to bolster England’s overall progression in the competition, presumably.

“Everybody watched David Beckham growing up, it’s nice to hear I’m one away.” He said.

“Obviously I want to keep on getting more game time for England and scoring more goals.

“I’m looking forward to achieving that but I don’t want to rest on my laurels, I want to keep improving.

“My most outstanding moments watching England were Michael Owen’s goal [against Argentina] in ’98 and Beckham’s free-kick against Greece at Old Trafford.

“He was such an inspiration for players all around the world.”

But, as the England fold is laden with influential, elegant marksmen, Welbeck understands the magnitude of the challenge ahead, if he’s to stamp his mark upon the starting XI, that is.

“Marcus scored a hell of a goal and Vards was dangerous through the whole game, there’s a lot of competition in the squad,” he proceeded.

“But I have a good record scoring goals for England. I’ll always make those runs and be there to try and stick it in the back of the net.

“That healthy competition ups everyone’s game. Every time we meet up with the squad there’s great camaraderie, it’s a very enjoyable environment to be in and I’m really excited for the coming weeks.”

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