Instant impact! Veteran striker scores on his Chelsea debut
It took Danny Welbeck exactly one match to announce himself at Stamford Bridge. The 35-year-old striker needed just his Chelsea debut to find the net and remind everyone why Xabi Alonso wanted him so badly.
Details: According to CentreGoals, Danny Welbeck scored on his Chelsea debut in the Carabao Cup second round tie against Luton Town at Stamford Bridge. The veteran striker was named in the starting lineup for the cup clash.
Welbeck's arrival at Chelsea was one of the most surprising moves of the summer: on August 1 the Blues paid Brighton a reported £5 million for the 35-year-old, handing him a two-year contract until 2028. It was a clear signal of a policy shift under Xabi Alonso, who wanted proven experience around one of the youngest squads in the Premier League. Welbeck brought plenty of it: over 400 Premier League appearances, 42 England caps, two Premier League titles from his Manchester United academy days and two FA Cups with Arsenal. Last season was arguably the best of his career, as he scored 13 league goals and became Brighton's all-time top Premier League scorer. For the cup tie Chelsea fielded a strong side with Cole Palmer, Estêvão, Morgan Rogers and Reece James, while Wesley Fofana served a suspension and Enzo Fernández was left out amid the ongoing transfer saga with Manchester City. The winner of the tie will host Leeds United in the third round.
The evening at Stamford Bridge offered the perfect first chapter for a player who promised fans he still has fire in his belly. It's worth noting that Chelsea host Brighton, Welbeck's former club, in the Premier League on Sunday, so the veteran may not have to wait long to face his old teammates.
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Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
