Ex-Dutch international George Boateng has defended Danny Welbeck in the row over the Sunderland striker’s appearance for England over Ghana last week.
Welbeck, 20, was booed by the massive African support as he made his senior England debut in Tuesday’s friendly at Wembley.
They vilified the Manchester United striker - on loan at Sunderland - because he has opted for the country where he was born over Ghana, his parents’ homeland.
Although Welbeck is able to reverse his decision - he remains eligible for Ghana until he plays for England in an official FIFA competitive match - he is understood to be completely comfortable with the decision he's made.
Boateng followed a similar path, opting for Holland despite being born in Ghana.
The former Coventry, Aston Villa, Middlesbrough and Hull midfielder believes Welbeck is right to stick to his guns.
Boateng, now at Greek club Skoda Xanthi, said: “Danny has to take into consideration when he is making his decision that he has played in England all his life.
“I had nothing to do with Ghana when I was young, other than street football. It was when I went to Holland that I started to get a grounding in football professionally.
“I’ve never said that I regret the decision I made, because I don’t. But looking back, because there were so many good players in the Dutch national team I had to sit on the bench and it was painful.
“I was hoping I would get a look-in but I didn’t. Looking back I would have made a difference for Ghana.
"I would have gone to the World Cup and I would have played with great players such as Michael Essien and Asamoah Gyan.
“But I still think it's a perfectly understandable choice if Danny wants to play for England.â€
Some of the Ghanaian anger has been directed at England boss Fabio Capello, with their fans convinced that Welbeck was put in a difficult position.
Many Ghanian supporters also feel the striker has little or no chance of adding to his one cap when it comes to major tournament football as Wayne Rooney, Andy Carroll, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch and Darren Bent all have international or Champions League experience.
Ghana Football Association President Fred Pappoe said last night: “I feel sorry for Danny. I hope they are going to make good use of him and that they will not dump him after this game.
“I wonder whether he really took a lot of time to reflect over the issue because what I know is that he was just given an invitation about 24 hours before the game, and I don’t think one makes a very good choice within such period of time.
“But it’s his career, so I wish him the best. It is absolutely not a loss. Ghana does not run short of talent. We don’t have any shortage of talents. We have talents all over the place. If Danny decides to play for England fair enough for him.â€
Boateng, in contrast, believes Welbeck DOES have the potential to be in England’s major tournament shake-up.
He added: “I have good friends at Sunderland and I watch all the games over in England and from what I see of Danny I think he can go back to Manchester United and become the next Andy Cole.
“I don’t agree when people say that he isn’t going to get a look-in for England ahead of Rooney, Carroll and players like that.
“If Danny goes back to Old Trafford, stays focussed and progresses as he has been doing over the last year or so, he can force himself into the first team there and for England.
“Although its painful for Ghanaians I think that in years to come they will be proud of the fact that he is a Ghanaian playing for England.
“But I can understand where Danny is coming from and I hope in time other people will too.â€
Source: Mirror