Danny Welbeck has shared that a mix of his extensive experience, a new role on the field, and intense hard work has led to him playing the best football of his career at 33 years old.
Welbeck was hailed as a teenage prodigy when he debuted from the Manchester United academy at 17, quickly becoming a regular starter under Sir Alex Ferguson before his 21st birthday. His transfer to Arsenal in 2014 was surprising, and it was followed by several injury-plagued years that extended into his season at Watford.
Since joining Brighton in 2020, the former England star has found renewed vigor, enjoying an injury-free year in 2024. Playing as a ‘number nine’ for the Seagulls, Welbeck has started the 2024/25 season impressively, scoring six Premier League goals in nine games. This performance has already surpassed his tally from the 2023/24 season and matches his totals from the 2020/21, 2021/22, and 2022/23 seasons.
During his five seasons with Arsenal, Welbeck never scored more than five Premier League goals, largely due to injuries. His highest league tally remains the nine goals he scored for Manchester United during his breakout 2011/12 season. Now, over a decade later, reaching double figures for the first time in his Premier League career seems well within reach.
Welbeck explains how he continues to thrive under new role
“It’s a new manager, different ideas and maybe this season I’ve been getting into a lot more dangerous positions and the ball is being put in nice positions for me by my teammates, and I’ve been putting them away,” he said, listing several key factors.
Experience plays a significant role as well, as he now understands things at 33 that he didn’t in his twenties.
“You do learn things over the years as a striker,” he added. “When I was younger, watching the older players at United you always thought they’re, like, a step ahead. Then you gain that experience, the repetition of being in those positions so many times, seeing so often how somebody is going to close you down, or how a ball might be bobbling…you almost like know you’ve played certain situations before. I used to look at the older players and say, ‘How did they do that?’…now I see it clearly.”
Hard work is another crucial element. According to Welbeck, he was “proper grafting” over the summer, maintaining his fitness routine daily, even during family holidays.
Welbeck dismissed the United rumors as ‘speculation’ and stated that it’s to be expected due to his connection with the club.
“I’m just focusing on what I can control myself and all the other stuff is pretty irrelevant,” he said.
