Is Danny Welbeck the answer to Chelsea's attacking options?

Why do Chelsea want Welbeck?DAZN/FIFA

Welbeck isn't the normal profile we've become accustomed to from a Chelsea signing. The Blues have made a habit of signing young European players on long contracts, with the view of moulding them into a team for the future. But the short term's become an issue. 

The vast majority of these buys have yet to work out, with names such as Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens and the already departed Alejandro Garnacho adding nothing of note to the club. That kind of signing is a big reason why the West Londoners go into 2026-27 without European football, so a change in tact is needed. 

Rogers was a start, a player with proven Premier League pedigree, but Welbeck could be the shrewdest move the club has made for several years. 

Last season, Welbeck had his best-ever season in front of goal, scoring 14 times in a campaign so impressive there was serious clamour for him to receive an England recall. 

At 35, he has a wealth of Premier League nous, having starred for Manchester United and Arsenal, but currently feels as deadly as ever in front of goal. 

Especially when you consider only Joao Pedro got anywhere near Welbeck's haul last season, with Delap scoring just twice all term. 

Given his age, however, Welbeck would also understand his role. He's unlikely to be first choice as he is on the South Coast, but someone who can be when needed, but also not kick up a fuss with Pedro still the first choice as the focal point in attack. 

It's a deal that actually makes sense for Chelsea, but is it actually the right move for Welbeck?

Chelsea's striking woes

Being a frontman at Chelsea is a bit of a cautionary tale, and is one that, even at his age, Welbeck should consider. 

What may look like one final big move for the former Three Lions man could turn into a downward turn he wouldn't want to finish his football career on.

He only has to look at the rollcall of strikers the club has signed in the last decade or so to see that the position has become a bit of a poisoned chalice. 
 

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Delap is the latest example, but joins a list of players who have all failed to live up to the billing for the Blues in Alexandre Pato, Gonzalo Higuain, Alvaro Morata, Fernando Torres and Radamel Falcao. 

All who left Stamford Bridge with their reputations worse off than when they arrived at the club. 

There are, of course, mitigating factors for each, but it feels like a position on which few have managed to succeed. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was another who tried, and joined at a similar stage of his career to that of Welbeck, but many would even struggle to remember him being at Chelsea, such was the little impact he made. 

You will not blame the striker if he does end up taking Chelsea up on their offer, with Brighton yet again falling victim to a club that loves to rob them of their best assets, but Welbeck should take heed of what's become before him, and decide if he can be the final best Danny Welbeck in West London or stay put with the Seagulls. 

 

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