Why Daniel Sturridge Is Under Most Pressure for England Following Slovenia Win

England's vibrant second-half showing secured a 3-1 win over Slovenia at Wembley and ensured their journey to Euro 2016 remains a stroll.

Few players in the starting XI disappointed; Jordan Henderson was perhaps the most sloppy performer, but Roy Hodgson is hardly overrun with options in central midfield.

The squad members under most pressure, therefore, are the ones who missed this slick second-period performance.

Leighton Baines will be feeling anxious after Kieran Gibbs' assured display, as will Kyle Walker and Glen Johnson having watched Nathaniel Clyne. The man with even more reason to fret, however, is Daniel Sturridge.

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That's simply due to the relentless international form of Danny Welbeck.

Hodgson's dabble with a diamond formation was initially viewed as a way to incorporate both Sturridge and Wayne Rooney in central berths—the same way Louis van Gaal has, at times, tried to accommodate both Rooney and Robin van Persie at Manchester United.

Sturridge's injury woes have meant it's Welbeck who has been the benefactor of this shift in styles, and regardless of an unspectacular domestic record, the Arsenal man has become lethal for England.

His brace against Slovenia took his recent international record to five goals in his past four matches—a return that demands inclusion at any level.

Nearing the halfway point of qualification, no other player matches Welbeck's goal tally, but it's not just his finishing that will pressurise Sturridge.

Welbeck has looked an ideal fit in this system, complementing those around him and enhancing their games.

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Despite looking a little lost during his past few outings for Arsenal—he's without a goal in his last 417 minutes of action—he seems to thrive on the presence of another striker.

The former Manchester United forward has a strong understanding with Wayne Rooney and seems to anticipate and understand the intricacies of Raheem Sterling's creative game.

The diamond formation allows the three attackers to combine in close proximity to one another, and this qualification campaign—though devoid of any elite opposition—has seen a catalogue of neat interplay between England's most advanced trio.

Welbeck also created two chances against Slovenia, emphasising his comfort in this role and his understanding with his team-mates. 

There's nothing to suggest Sturridge, whose domestic record is far more prolific, could not mimic or even better Welbeck's return in the past few matches, but he's lost the right to walk straight back into the team.

Regardless of his form when he eventually returns to action, this recent spell for England has placed Welbeck in pole position among England's pool of strikers.

It must also be remembered how the Arsenal man's goalscoring record at club level has been tarnished by numerous games on a flank. Sturridge, meanwhile, has enjoyed playing in a central berth with Luis Suarez for company.

As far as England's next qualifier is concerned—as far off as that is—Welbeck has become a main man for Hodgson over the past few games and must remain in his three-pronged attack. 

Statistics via WhoScored.com.

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