Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Danny Welbeck made his unofficial debut for Chelsea in their pre-season friendly against Juventus.
Welbeck is expected to provide cover for Joao Pedro following his arrival from Brighton & Hove Albion last week.
Pedro is Chelsea’s first-choice striker, but both the Brazilian and Welbeck started in the loss to Juventus.
It was very fascinating watching them play alongside each other. There is no doubt that Xabi Alonso would have liked what he saw.
Chelsea player ratings vs Juventus
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck’s partnership was very fluid
Chelsea lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Welbeck being the furthest forward, but their shape also became more of a 4-4-2 at times.
There were plenty of moments when Pedro was playing right next to Welbeck, often when Chelsea were without the ball and in a defensive shape.
However, the 24-year-old was also constantly dropping deep into the No.10 position to get involved in play.
Interestingly, Welbeck also did the same at times, while Pedro acted as the runner. When they dropped deep, both players linked the play well.
Joao Pedro of Chelsea is challenged by Zeki Celik of Juventus
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Once the season starts, the expectation will be for Pedro to start and for Welbeck to be on the bench.
After watching how the pair played together against Juventus, though, it would not be a shock to see both strikers in a 4-4-2 when Chelsea are chasing a goal.
Hopefully there is not too much of that in the new season. Alonso will be expecting an attack of Pedro, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and possibly Estevao Willian to get the job done.
Palmer was missing for the Juventus game, though he is not thought to be out with anything too serious. Had the attacking midfielder and Levi Colwill been available, the Blues may not have lost.
Alonso will not be too concerned about the result, though, with it only being a pre-season friendly. There were still plenty of positives to take away, including Pedro and Welbeck’s partnership.