Gary Neville has criticised Manchester United’s decision to sell Danny Welbeck over a decade ago, as the striker moves closer to joining Chelsea from Brighton.
Welbeck came through United’s academy, debuting in 2008/09. He played 142 times, scoring 29 goals and assisting 16 before being sold to Arsenal for £16m in 2014. After spells at Watford and Brighton, he has spent six seasons with the Seagulls, becoming a reliable Premier League scorer.
Neville’s Verdict
Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said: “I said ten years ago that Manchester United should never have sold Danny Welbeck. He’s gone away and done brilliantly well.”
He added: “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.”
Leadership for Young Squad
Chelsea are also closing in on former Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, who left Brentford on a free transfer. Neville believes both signings will provide guidance for Chelsea’s young players.
“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.”
Neville noted that Chelsea lacked leadership: “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.”
Club Context
Chelsea are rebuilding under new manager Xabi Alonso after missing out on European football last season, while Manchester United secured Champions League qualification.
