Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Absolutely no one saw this coming, but Chelsea have signed a new striker: 35-year-old Danny Welbeck!
On Saturday, Chelsea confirmed the signing of Welbeck from Brighton & Hove Albion, adding some much-needed experience to their young squad.
It means the Blues now have six centre-forwards on their books, which is, quite frankly, far too many.
There will undoubtedly be exits in that department before the transfer window closes. So, who should be part of Xabi Alonso’s strike force in the new season?
Player ratings vs Tottenham
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Danny Welbeck
Welbeck is obviously the first place to start following his arrival. It is just a matter of how much game time the former England international is going to get at 35.
At Brighton, Welbeck was very effective when coming off the bench. You would expect Alonso to utilise him in a very similar way while also starting the former Arsenal and Manchester United man in the cup games.
Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro is Chelsea’s first-choice striker, so it really is just a free-for-all between Nicolas Jackson, Liam Delap and Emmanuel Emegha for the final centre-forward spot in Alonso’s squad.
The Chelsea Chronicle understands that Marc Guiu is attracting interest from multiple clubs. His future is definitely away from Stamford Bridge after making just one start in the Premier League last season.
As for Pedro, he is set to sign a new contract, which will make him even more untouchable.
Joao Pedro of Chelsea
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Nicolas Jackson
This is a bit controversial, as many Chelsea fans are still unhappy with how easily Jackson gave up after Pedro’s and Delap’s arrivals last summer.
However, Jackson is a superior centre-forward compared to Emegha, Delap and Guiu. And in a full 38-game season, you would back the Senegal international to either match or surpass Welbeck’s tally.
He will not want to compete with the ex-Brighton man to be Chelsea’s second-choice No.9. But if it is a choice between Jackson and Delap, it is no contest. With Emegha not being tested in the Premier League and picking up injuries, most would pick Jackson over him, too.