Gary Neville has told Manchester United that they made a mistake in selling Danny Welbeck. 12 years after leaving Old Trafford, the striker is closing in on a transfer to Chelsea.
Welbeck's career since United exit
Welbeck made his first-team United debut in the 2008/09 campaign. Over the six years in the first team, he scored 29 goals and provided 16 assists. The now 35-year-old was sold to Arsenal for £16 million in 2014, and has since played for Watford and Brighton.
The striker has been with the Seagulls for six years and has proven himself to be a dependable goalscorer in the Premier League. As Chelsea search for more experience, they have moved to add him to their squad.
Neville's criticism
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: "I said ten years ago that Manchester United should never have sold Danny Welbeck. He's gone away and done brilliantly well.
"He's coming into a little cameo at the end of his career, but he's a fantastic player. I worked with him obviously as a team-mate, I worked with him with England as a coach and he was fantastic for England."
"And he's been good in the Premier League as well. It's a good move for Chelsea and it gives them a real option up front."
Chelsea also targeting Jordan Henderson
Alongside Welbeck, Chelsea also appear to be edging closer to landing former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, with Brentford having confirmed his departure on a free transfer.
Neville has outlined why both signings will prove beneficial to United's Premier League rivals. "They're still good players, they can contribute maybe 25 to 35 games a season at a good level," he said.
"But what they will do is all those young players there at Chelsea, they will make sure they turn up every single day, give their all, come back the same the next day and do it again.
"That's been a problem. I don't think the young players at Chelsea have had any particular guidance or leadership around them either on the pitch or off the pitch."
"They've now got people around them who can do that and know how to get around the block."
Context of the moves
While United wrapped up last season in the Champions League positions, Chelsea are embarking on a fresh rebuild under new boss Xabi Alonso, having failed to qualify for European football altogether in the previous campaign.
