Never mind policemen. England footballers are getting younger.

Danny Welbeck made a room full of newspaper men feel distinctly old when he said his first memory of an England striker in action was Michael Owen scoring that goal against Argentina at the 1998 World Cup.

It drew a gasp from his audience and was then followed by a brief history lesson for the 21-year-old.

Maturity beyond his years: Danny Welbeck is not scared of taking a key role for England

Welbeck was told of a press conference that took place in Paris two years later, when England met France in a friendly.

It was there in the autumn of 2000, at the Stade de France, that the same Michael Owen expressed his desire to lead England’s attack for as long as possible. Alan Shearer had retired from international football, he respectfully noted, and at 20 he declared himself ready to shoulder that burden of responsibility.

A further 12 years on and here in Krakow yesterday Welbeck delivered a similar speech. It was not premeditated in the way Owen’s clearly was. It came in response to a question, but the message was the same. Now he has the job, now he has been selected as England’s centre  forward in a major tournament, he has no desire to see someone else in his place.

‘I’ve been put in a position now to lead the line for England and it’s not something I’m scared of,’ said a Manchester United player Sir Alex Ferguson long ago predicted would become an England player.

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