Few would’ve envisaged this at the start of the season but Danny Welbeck is playing like a man rejuvenated.
The former Manchester United striker has found himself leading the line for Brighton in recent weeks following an injury to the highly-rated Evan Ferguson and the 32-year-old has seemed to relish this opportunity.
He really has been dat guy Welbz.
In the absence of the injured Ferguson, Welbeck has three goals and an assist across 125 minutes of Premier League action. If the 42-cap England international nets one more goal between now and the end of the season, it will be his most prolific campaign since 2013/14, back when he called Old Trafford home.
The Brighton No. 18 is already having his most productive campaign for the Seagulls with nine goals involvements across 1,551 Premier League minutes this term. He put in a man-of-the-match performance against Wolves over the weekend as Roberto De Zerbi’s men bounced back following a shock 3-1 loss to Nottingham Forest. The hosts rested the likes of Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister, Karou Mitoma and Levi Colwill but still romped to a 6-0 win to strengthen their chances of finishing in a European spot.
It could’ve been a tricky fixture against Wolves, a side who have picked up some decent results recently, defeating Chelsea, Brentford and Crystal Palace. These victories have all but secured their place in the Premier League next season.
However, the tie at the Amex was over inside of the first half. The hosts had a 4-0 lead going into the break and had their fifth after just 48 minutes before adding a sixth just after the hour mark. Multiple players caught the eye for the home team with Pascal Gross, Denis Undav and Welbeck all netting doubles, but the undoubted star of the show was the one-time Arsenal man.
⭐️ Danny Welbeck picked up his highest ever rating (9.68) in the Premier League against Wolves, scoring twice and picking up an assist
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 1, 2023
😳 The last time he achieved a rating over 9.50 in the league was back in April 2012 against Everton, just over 11 years ago! pic.twitter.com/nB72YpddHO
Welbeck racked up a WhoScord rating of 9.68 following his showing on Saturday. He was directly responsible for 50% of the goals scored, finding the back of the net twice while also assisting the opener.
The versatile forward has heaped a lot of praise on De Zerbi recently.
"I’ve really enjoyed playing it [playing under De Zerbi]. It’s a little bit different for a forward because we don’t necessarily play with a striker, so there are new positions that you’re taking up on the pitch, but it’s all with a meaning behind it: the positions we take up, how we’re going to be building up and attacking as a team, and I’ve really enjoyed my time. He’s a special man, special manager and I’m really fully enjoying the time playing under Roberto."
It is no coincidence that a number of players within the Brighton team are having the best campaigns of their careers following the arrival of the former Sassuolo tactician.
Solly March went goalless last season but is currently on seven for the campaign. Mitoma has 11 goal involvements in just 1,755 minutes since bursting onto the scene under the Italian. Gross and Mac Allister (both on eight goals in the Premier League) are also enjoying their most productive seasons too. It is because of this that what Welbeck is doing right now is going under the radar.
It is easy to understand why though. Brighton have a number of in-demand players and every single week, one of them makes a case for why they are the club’s most valuable asset. Welbeck is coming towards the end of his career so doesn’t get the spotlight his performances perhaps deserve. But he’s still proving himself to be extremely useful to De Zerbi.
At the end of the current season, Welbeck will have just 12 months remaining on his deal but it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the Seagulls offer him a new one. He’s an able deputy to Ferguson and his experience could aid the youngster in his development. If Brighton are to be playing European football, they will need players like Welbeck around. He’s invaluable both on the pitch and off of it.
