Amario Cozier-Duberry Reveals Danny Welbeck Mentorship Ahead of England Under-21 Duty
Amario Cozier-Duberry has joined England’s Under-21 squad this week. The call-up follows his season-long loan move from Brighton to Middlesbrough. The 19-year-old winger says training with senior teammates in pre-season shaped his mindset before the switch.
“It was great, to be fair. I enjoyed pre-season there. You’re playing with the top, top players, so you’re only going to improve,” Cozier-Duberry said, looking back on his summer with Brighton’s first team.
Danny Welbeck was one of those senior players. His words stuck with the young winger. “He was just saying that every day in training, just show I can play here and just be as direct as possible and just be confident,” Cozier-Duberry said.
Brighton Pre-Season, Contract Extension, and Interest From Rangers
Cozier-Duberry impressed enough in pre-season that head coach Fabian Hurzeler weighed up keeping him at Brighton for the season. He also came off the bench in the goalless draw against Tromso on the opening day.
Before his loan became official, Amario Cozier-Duberry signed a new contract with Brighton. That deal ties his long-term future to the Amex Stadium. Rangers were among the clubs keen to take him on loan, and several Championship sides also wanted his signature.
Middlesbrough won the race in the end. They could offer the regular first-team football Brighton could not guarantee him this season.
Tactical Development and Middlesbrough Loan Impact Under Fabian Hurzeler
The move to the Riverside Stadium came down to one thing: game time. Hurzeler’s sessions, including pre-season preparation in Austria, gave Cozier-Duberry a taste of senior football. But a loan offers something pre-season cannot match: regular matches against experienced Championship defenders.
That exposure should sharpen the directness Welbeck urged him to show in training. Cozier-Duberry now has to make quick decisions in wide areas, not just settle for short cameos off the bench. If he builds on his pre-season progress at Middlesbrough, he strengthens his case to return to Hurzeler’s plans once the loan ends.
England Under-21 Schedule and Molineux Qualifier Timeline
Cozier-Duberry’s call-up shows how much the national set-up values regular club football. The Young Lions begin their fixture run against Kazakhstan at Molineux. It is the first of two European Championship qualifiers, alongside a friendly.
The international break gives Cozier-Duberry another chance to build on his Brighton pre-season progress. Welbeck’s advice on confidence and directness is still fresh in his mind. He will look to establish himself both for his country and on loan at Middlesbrough. More detail on his comments can be found in The Argus interview with Amario Cozier-Duberry.
