Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
35-year-old Danny Welbeck scored in his first start for Chelsea in their 2-0 EFL Cup victory against Luton Town, seeing him become one of the oldest to score for the club.
The Blues were frustrated for the first half at Stamford Bridge, before Welbeck stepped up to head home a sensational Malo Gusto cross to make it 1-0.
While Chelsea have certainly brought the veteran striker into their squad to bring some much-needed experience to the side, he showed he still has the ability to find the net when called upon.
Chelsea player ratings vs Luton
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Where Danny Welbeck ranks amongst Chelsea’s oldest goalscorers after debut goal
At 35 years, nine months and one day old, Welbeck is the second-oldest player at the club behind Jordan Henderson, however is the first of the veterans to join an elite list of elder statesmen to score for the club.
In fact, since the 1992/93 season, the former Brighton man is now the eighth-oldest player to score for Chelsea, finding the net at an age just 15 days younger than Frank Lampard when he scored his last goal.
Chelsea v Luton Town - Carabao Cup Second Round
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Chelsea’s oldest goalscorer will certainly take some beating. Thiago Silva was 39 years of age when he scored his final goal for the club against Sheffield United.
The Brazilian leads the list ahead of Didier Drogba and Gianfranco Zola, with some other top names amongst it.
Chelsea’s oldest goalscorers Date of goal Age
Thiago Silva 07/04/2024 39 years 06 months 16 days
Didier Drogba 29/04/2015 37 years 01 month 18 days
Gianfranco Zola 21/04/2003 36 years 09 months 16 days
Mal Donaghy 27/02/1994 36 years 05 months 14 days
John Terry 15/05/2017 36 years 05 months 08 days
Glenn Hoddle 26/03/1994 36 years 04 months 27 days
Frank Lampard 05/04/2014 35 years 09 months 16 days
Danny Welbeck 27/08/2026 35 years 09 months 01 day
Gianluca Vialli 16/05/1999 34 years 10 months 07 days
Marcel Desailly 11/05/2003 34 years 08 months 04 days
Chelsea have decided to part ways with both Liam Delap and Nicolas Jackson this summer, with no European football to offer them minutes.
There is clearly confidence from Xabi Alonso that the combination of Welbeck and Joao Pedro will be enough firepower for them this season.
Welbeck has the chance to make more history for himself this season by scoring off the bench.
The striker needs six goals off the bench this season in the Premier League to break the record for most goals for a substitute in the league’s history.