When Danny Welbeck Will Join Chelsea Pre-Season Tour Revealed After Transfer Agreed | OneFootball

One area Chelsea can expect in pre-season is new signings in the transfer window. Video Credit: Absolute Chelsea

Chelsea have reached an agreement with Brighton and Hove Albion over the transfer of veteran striker Danny Welbeck.

Having focused on bringing in young talent over the last several years, Chelsea seem to have shifted their transfer strategy this summer with the arrival of their new manager, Xabi Alonso.

Welbeck’s signing would be the first indication of this change.

The 35-year-old would be Chelsea’s first signing over the age of 30 since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kalidou Koulibaly in the summer of 2022.

While neither Aubameyang nor Koulibaly proved to be a success at Stamford Bridge, it is also hard to argue that the lack of experience in the Chelsea squad in the last few years has been detrimental to their seasons.

Welbeck is set to pen a two-year contract at Stamford Bridge. REUTERS

Welbeck is not the only veteran player to have been linked with Chelsea this summer, either.

Chelsea were previously interested in Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka. They are now advancing in a deal for Jordan Henderson on a free transfer after his departure from Brentford.

Considering Chelsea and Brighton have reached an agreement over Welbeck’s transfer, the striker is now expected to join his new teammates in Hong Kong for the latter part of the pre-season tour, subject to formalities.

Chelsea will face London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, August 1, before heading for Hong Kong for a friendly against Juventus on Wednesday, August 5.

Welbeck would be a welcome addition to the pre-season squad as well.

Chelsea have brought 28 players for the pre-season tour, with some others expected to join later, and the list includes several academy players. However, it has since been reduced to 27 after goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen returned to the UK to finalise his departure.

Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, and Dastan Satpayev are the only striker options in the pre-season squad at the moment, after Emmanuel Emegha had to be left out due to a hamstring injury.

Joao Pedro scored a hat-trick in his first pre-season game of the tour of Australia. REUTERS/Hollie Adams

Welbeck played an important role in Brighton’s campaign last season, in which they secured UEFA Conference League qualification after finishing eighth in the table.

The England international made 37 appearances (26 starts) in the Premier League for the Seagulls, having bagged 14 goals and one assist in the process.

It is unlikely that he would play as big a role at Chelsea with Joao Pedro leading the pecking order, but Welbeck’s vast experience in the top flight of English football could only benefit the team.

Welbeck has played for several Premier League clubs since his debut in the competition in late 2008, including Manchester United, Watford, and Arsenal.