Following two convincing displays during the international break, producing 3-1 wins over Slovenia and Scotland, Roy Hodgson has some important decisions to make.

Is in-form Southampton defender Nathaniel Clyne now England’s first-choice right-back ahead of Glen Johnson, Kyle Walker and Chris Smalling? Should the Three Lions persist with their midfield diamond or revert to the 4-3-3 formation that proved so fruitful in the second half against Slovenia and the entirety of the 90 minutes at Celtic Park? Is Adam Lallana above Fabian Delph and James Milner in the pecking order? Is Sterling now a guaranteed starter, and where does Everton’s Ross Barkley, a sensational young talent, fit into all this?

But most importantly, who should partner Wayne Rooney in attack? At the World Cup, the undisputed answer was Daniel Sturridge, but amid the Liverpool front-man’s prolonged injury absence, Danny Welbeck, through the cocoon of a £16million move to Arsenal, has transformed himself into a free-scoring centre-forward, netting ten times for club and country since the summer.

On paper, few would dispute that Sturridge is the more talented striker. That’s no disrespect to Welbeck, who comes with many appealing traits, but Sturridge is the fastest player to reach 30 league goals for Liverpool since the 1890s and his strike-rate across all competitions for the club is better than one in two.

In short, when it comes purely down to finishing ability, Sturridge is uncontested as the best Englishman of his generation - leaps and bounds ahead of Welbeck quite frankly, whose lack of composure in front of goal is incredible for a forward that’s plied his trade with Manchester United and Arsenal.

That being said, Sturridge and Rooney have never quite clicked as a partnership for England, despite in theory being perfect for each other. The Reds man for example, likes to stretch defences and finish off moves, whereas the Manchester United skipper is well-schooled in building from deep and supporting an out-and-out goalscorer, as he’s done to great success with Robin van Persie over the last few seasons. One can even liken Wazza Roo to a quintessentially English Luis Suarez.

Yet, they netted only twice collectively at the World Cup and in the last twelve England games where both were on the pitch, they’ve amassed a combined total of ten goals. Welbeck and Rooney, on the other hand, have scored a joint nine in their last five appearances as England’s front two.

The Liverpool assassin’s overall record for the Three Lions, five in 16, is largely underwhelming. His solitary two qualifying goals have come during resounding wins over San Mario - the seventh goal in an 8-0 - and Montenegro - the final strike in a 4-1 victory. Perhaps Sturridge’s momentum was beginning to build for England after a rather subdued start, but recent injures have put him back to square one.

In contrast, Welbeck boasts 13 in 31 for England and eight in his last eighteen, despite only being considered an out-and-out centre-forward since his transition into that role for Arsenal this season. Since, the 23 year-old has been a definitive factor in integral victories over Switzerland and Slovenia, undisputedly England’s most competitive opposition in Group E, bagging braces in both.

It’s not all just about goals, yet Welbeck is far more befitting of the style of football Roy Hodgson wants to play. Sturridge is equally quick and unquestionably more clinical, yet the Arsenal star’s work-rate and energy off the ball, combined with his new-found proficiency going forward, is perfect for the counter-attacking approach that inspired England’s win over the Swiss and will likely be utilised again upon facing international football’s heavyweight sides.

Against Switzerland for example, Welbeck won the ball in deep midfield, allowed Rooney and Sterling to rip up the pitch with it, before applying the finish for England’s second. Sturridge, however, is a relatively anonymous character out of possession and won't be instigating attacks by breaking up play of his own accord any time soon.

Similarly, Sturridge’s England outings are his only experiences playing alongside Rooney. Some partnerships click immediately but some don’t, and the catch 22 of international football is the limited time available to create an understanding.

Welbeck and Rooney, in comparison, spent over six seasons together in the United first team - the amount of hours spent on the training pitch in each others’ company, most likely playing as a front two on regular occasions, must be well into the thousands. Resultantly, there’s already a sense of telepathy between them, a greater grasp of each others’ strengths and weaknesses, and that’s become increasingly evident since the start of England’s Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.

Essentially, that’s what Hodgson must now consider. England have wasted the last ten years trying to get the best players on the pitch, but as evident with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in central midfield, or John Terry and Rio Ferdinand at centre-back, the top talents don’t always make a top team. It’s far too early to discuss Sturridge and Rooney in the same manner - we’re still 18 months away from the next major tournament - but in terms of qualifying at least, it’s clearly Welbeck and the England skipper who accommodate each other with higher efficiency.

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