Why Southampton should pounce on free agent Danny Welbeck
According to The Sun, Watford have agreed with Danny Welbeck to a mutual termination of the England international’s £100,000-a-week contract at Vicarage Road, leaving the 29-year-old a free agent in the market.
Back in August, a report from the same source had claimed that Southampton were among the Premier League clubs interested in offering Danny Welbeck a return to the top-flight following Watford’s relegation at the end of last season.
The Saints had been plotting a cut-price £5.5 million swoop for Welbeck and with the versatile striker now available for free, it should be an absolute no-brainer for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side to go all out in their pursuit of the former Arsenal star ahead of the October 16 deadline.
Profile
Danny Welbeck rose through the youth system at Man United and made his senior breakthrough at Old Trafford during the 2008-09 campaign. He spent time on loan at Preston in the Championship and Sunderland in the Premier League before establishing himself as a first-team regular for the Red Devils.
The 29-year-old went on to bag 29 goals and 21 assists in 142 appearances for United in all competitions before switching boats to join Arsenal back in 2014. Welbeck wasn’t always a regular starter for the Gunners but he still managed a handsome tally of 32 goals and 15 assists in 126 appearances, winning the FA Cup and Community Shield in the process.
Welbeck joined Watford on a free transfer last summer but he spent several months on the treatment table due to an injury. He returned to action post lockdown and put in a series of strong performances, finishing the campaign with 3 goals in 20 appearances. That, however, wasn’t enough to save the club from relegation.
A full international for England since 2011, Welbeck has gone on to accumulate 16 goals in 42 appearances for his nation, representing the Three Lions at 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups as well as UEFA Euro 2012.
Welbeck would be a quality addition to Southampton’s attack
Southampton recently grabbed the headlines on the summer deadline day with a loan deal to re-sign former academy graduate Theo Walcott from Everton. The acquisition of Danny Welbeck on a free transfer would represent yet another coup for the Saints.
Danny Ings almost single-handedly propelled Southampton to an impressive 11th-place finish in the Premier League last term with his 22-goal haul and Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side have continued to rely heavily on him to deliver the goods in front of goal this season as well.
The 28-year-old has scored thrice in his team’s four opening league fixtures so far, which is definitely very impressive. But it goes without saying that the Saints need some significant goal contributions from their other attackers as well if they are to challenge for a top-ten finish.
A veteran of over 200 PL career appearances and with a proven track record of goals and assists at the highest level, Welbeck would add some much-needed quality and experience to a rather youthful-looking Saints forward line.
Plus, his versatility to play as a centre-forward and also as a wide forward on either side of the pitch would hand a significant boost to Hasenhuttl’s squad dynamics.
Read More
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Verdict
Danny Welbeck has had his fair share of struggles with injuries throughout his career but when fit, the England international is more than capable of tormenting defences in the Premier League. He certainly hasn’t lost his magic, as evident from his stunning bicycle kick goal in Watford’s 2-1 win over Norwich City last season.
All in all, the 29-year-old still has a lot to offer and Southampton teaming him up with his ex-Arsenal mate Walcott could well transform them into a fearsome attacking force.
