Chelsea are set to announce the signing of Danny Welbeck from Brighton, allowing him the chance to break a unique Premier League record.
Xabi Alonso has clearly identified the lack of experience in the first team squad at Stamford Bridge, and is looking to address it with proven Premier League players.
Welbeck is set to join Jordan Henderson as new signings for the club for low transfer fees, with the striker set to carry on his role as a mentor for Joao Pedro.
Danny Welbeck to Chelsea out of nowhere! Share your thoughts below 😱
Danny Welbeck of Brighton
Photo by Scott Llewellyn/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Danny Welbeck can break Premier League substitute goals record at Chelsea
The Englishman will almost certainly spend the majority of the season as a deputy for the Brazil international, however can build on his impressive amount of goals scored as a substitute in the Premier League.
Only two players have scored more goals off the bench than Welbeck, with them being Jermain Defoe and former Blue Olivier Giroud.
FBL-ENG-PR-BRIGHTON-CHELSEA
Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images
In fact, Welbeck needs just six goals off the bench to take the record for most goals as a substitute in the Premier League, and those opportunities are certainly going to arise in West London.
He could even make his first appearance at Stamford Bridge against his former side, with Chelsea hosting Brighton in the second game of the season.
How many Premier League goals will Joao Pedro score next season? 🔮
A hat-trick in his first game under Alonso!
His closest current rival in the squad for a place in the matchday squad is Liam Delap, although his struggles since joining have seen him hovering close to the exit door.
Delap’s agents are in contact with numerous clubs about a potential move, despite him starting their first pre-season friendly of the summer against Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Englishman’s poor form doesn’t seem to have been left in the 2025/26 season though, and Alonso will be looking for more suitable competition to Pedro so he does not suffer the same burnout he did last season.
Emmanuel Emegha is another option the club have, although it remains to be seen if he will be fit for the start of the domestic season next month.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox