Ashley Young has expressed his disappointment that Danny Welbeck did not return to Manchester United this summer, after the veteran forward completed a surprise move to Chelsea. The former England international, who played alongside Welbeck for four years at Old Trafford, admitted he was 'gutted' the striker did not rejoin the Red Devils.
Chelsea's shift to experience
Chelsea have abandoned their purely youth-led transfer policy to add much-needed experience to their dressing room ahead of Xabi Alonso's debut season as head coach. After securing a £117million deal for Morgan Rogers, beating Arsenal to his signature, the Blues turned their attention to Welbeck, a move that surprised many given the forward will turn 36 in November.
Welbeck left Brighton for Chelsea in a deal worth around £5million, signing a two-year contract in west London. Just two days later, 36-year-old Jordan Henderson terminated his contract at Brentford to follow Welbeck through the doors at Stamford Bridge.
Young's praise for Welbeck
Chelsea supporters got their first glimpse of Welbeck in a Blues shirt last week when he played 45 minutes in the pre-season clash with Juventus. Young, speaking to talkSPORT, was impressed by Chelsea's transfer business and is confident his old team-mate can make a big impact both on and off the pitch.
'Chelsea have made some good signings and they need some experience in that squad,' Young said. 'He's a really good friend of mine, Welbs is. I've been speaking to him the last couple of weeks.'
Asked if Welbeck is excited for the season ahead, Young replied: 'Yeah, of course he is. He's delighted to be signing for Chelsea, especially at this stage of his career. He's proved himself time and time again. Could he have been on the plane going to the World Cup? For me, I'm probably being biased in saying he should have, but he wasn't. He's been fantastic and I'm gutted he hasn't gone back to United, to be honest.'
Neville echoes sentiments
Earlier this month, Gary Neville, another of Welbeck's former Manchester United team-mates, criticised the club for allowing the striker to leave for Arsenal back in 2014. According to Neville, the 2012/13 Premier League winner will give Alonso a 'real option' up front this coming season.
'I said ten years ago that Manchester United should never have sold Danny Welbeck. He's gone away and done brilliantly well,' Neville said on Sky Sports News. 'He's coming into a little cameo at the end of his career but he's fantastic player. I worked with him obviously as a team-mate, I worked with him with England as a coach and he was fantastic for England. And he's been good in the Premier League as well. It's a good move for Chelsea and it gives them a real option up front.'
Upcoming fixtures
Chelsea return to Stamford Bridge for their last remaining pre-season fixture against Real Sociedad next weekend. Alonso's men kick off their Premier League campaign away to local neighbours Fulham on August 24.
