At the start of the season, the expectation was that Danny Welbeck would be phased out at Brighton & Hove Albion. With Joao Pedro signed from Watford and Evan Ferguson ready to kick on after his breakout campaign last time out, Welbeck looked set to be his team’s third-choice centre-forward.
In fact, the former England international has made the No.9 position his own of late. Welbeck has started more Premier League games than either Joao Pedro or Ferguson this term. Aged 33 and with a history of injury problems, Welbeck has only completed the full 90 minutes on one occasion. But in six of Brighton’s last seven top-flight games, he has been given the nod up top. Welbeck is enjoying an Indian summer at the Amex Stadium.
The striker had his moments at Manchester United and Arsenal earlier in his career. But although frequent injury issues did him no favours, he was not quite at the required level to start week in, week out for two of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Yet in some ways, that led to his talents becoming underappreciated. Welbeck is now showing that he has plenty to offer a team competing for European qualification for the second season running.
Sceptics might point to a meagre return of three goals in 17 Premier League appearances and wonder what all the fuss is about. Welbeck is certainly no Erling Haaland. He has never reached double figures in a league season. That is a blemish on the record of a forward who has played for United, Arsenal and an attack-minded Brighton team.
Welbeck did manage to find the back of the net on Sunday, scoring Brighton’s second goal in a 5-0 thumping of Sheffield United. The week before he won a penalty against Tottenham Hotspur, and the week prior to that he came off the bench to provide a glorious assist for Joao Pedro in a 4-1 defeat of Crystal Palace.
Roberto De Zerbi would not continue picking Welbeck - whom he described as an "incredible player" earlier this season - if he was not contributing, particularly with a more natural finisher like Ferguson on the bench. Joao Pedro is currently sidelined with injury, but Welbeck was getting picked ahead of or alongside the Brazilian even when he was available for selection.
Brighton are optimistic about reaching an agreement with Danny Welbeck over a new contract. #BHAFC
— Andy Naylor (@AndyNaylorBHAFC) February 19, 2024
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Welbeck might be getting on, but he still has the mobility to stretch opposition backlines by running the channels and offering a threat in behind. This helps to create space for Brighton’s other attackers, while his pressing of opposition centre-backs is an integral part of how De Zerbi wants to play.
Welbeck is far more than a head-down runner, though. He often drops off the front, finding pockets of space in between the lines to link with his attacking colleagues. Welbeck is adept at holding the ball up - not particularly because of his physical strength, but more due to his intelligent positioning and fine close control. Indeed, his assist against Crystal Palace earlier this month - a wonderfully weighted flick into the path of Joao Pedro - was evidence of his technical ability.
"The qualities of Welbeck are many because he can play No.9 like a striker but also No.10," De Zerbi said after a victory over Manchester United in September. "He understands the play, the timing, the right moment, he is a very smart player."
Welbeck’s contract is up in the summer. He will turn 34 in November and is patently nearer the end of his career than the start. Yet he has shown in recent weeks that he can still thrive at this level. The club are optimistic about agreeing a new deal with the forward, which is a boost for De Zerbi who, for one, will want to keep Welbeck around.
