Danny Welbeck (Getty Images)
According to The Sun, Brighton have signed free agent Danny Welbeck. Welbeck was recently released by Watford after spending just one season for them. Watford did end up getting relegated but Welbeck will have another crack at the first division.
Danny Welbeck rose through the youth system at Manchester United and made his senior breakthrough at Old Trafford during the 2008-09 campaign. He spent time on loan at and Sunderland before establishing himself as a first-team regular for the Red Devils.
The 29-year-old went on to bag 29 goals and 21 assists in 142 appearances for United in all competitions. He then switched boats to join Arsenal in 2014. Welbeck wasn’t always a regular starter for the Gunners but he still managed a handsome tally of 32 goals and 15 assists in 126 appearances, winning the FA Cup and the Community Shield in the process (source – Transfermarkt).
Welbeck joined Watford on a free transfer last summer. However, he spent several months on the treatment table due to an injury. He returned to action post lockdown and put in a series of strong performances. That, however, wasn’t enough to save the club from relegation.
A full international for England, Welbeck has gone on to accumulate 16 goals in 42 appearances for his nation. He represented the Three Lions at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups as well as UEFA Euro 2012.
With both the international and domestic transfer windows closing a few days back, clubs can still dip into the free agent pool. Brighton have done exactly that and might have struck good fortune with Welbeck.
A veteran of over 200 PL career appearances and with a proven track record of goals and assists at the highest level, Welbeck would add some much-needed quality and experience to a rather youthful-looking Brighton forward line.
Plus, his versatility to play as a centre-forward and also as a wide forward on either flank would hand a significant boost to Graham Potter’s squad dynamics.
Danny Welbeck has had his fair share of struggles with injuries throughout his career. But when fit, the England international is more than capable of tormenting defences in the Premier League. He certainly hasn’t lost his magic, as evident from his stunning bicycle kick goal in Watford’s 2-1 win over Norwich City last season.
All in all, the 29-year-old still has a lot to offer and Brighton teaming him up with Neal Maupay could well transform them into a good attacking force.
