Tottenham should have sold two big names in exchange for cheap Chelsea star - Spurs insider
Tottenham Hotspur should have attempted to sign veteran Danny Welbeck from Brighton ahead of Chelsea.
That is the opinion of former senior Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 35-year-old has joined the Blues in a deal reportedly worth less than £5million, signing a two-year contract.
Despite his age, Welbeck is arguably in the best form he has ever been in, scoring a career-high 14 goals across all competitions last season.
The forward has suffered from massive injury issues throughout his career but looks to have finally shaken them, appearing in 37 Premier League games in one campaign for the first time ever.
The veteran will be unlikely to play as much at Chelsea but is part of Xabi Alonso's directive to add leadership and experience to his squad.
'I'd have certainly brought him in' at Tottenham
Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham rebuild is now set to target new forwards, with Savinho and Cody Gakpo reportedly at the top of the list.
It would not be a surprise to see a new striker arrive, too, and Welbeck may have been an obvious option.
The striker scored 14 goals under the Italian and would have brought the experience that Tottenham also need.
Welbeck may have had a question to answer himself given his Arsenal allegiances, but has had no problem signing for a different London rival in Chelsea.
"Welbeck is still a good player, by the way. If I'd have been Tottenham, I'd have looked at him, because he must know him, the manager at Spurs," King told Football Insider.
"I'd have sooner brought him in as a centre-forward and then got rid of Richarlison or [Dominic] Solanke. He's done well.
"Welbeck's done well. He's scored a few goals for Brighton, hasn't he? Yeah. Good finisher."
What De Zerbi has said about 'incredible' Welbeck
It cannot be ruled out that Welbeck was offered the chance to go to Tottenham this summer, but turned down the move.
Chelsea may have been willing to offer a longer contract or bigger wages, but they have certainly gained an excellent player and presence for their investment.
"Danny Welbeck is an incredible player," De Zerbi said in 2023. "I think now he's in one of his best moments at Brighton. He's playing like a young player."
"The qualities of Welbeck are many," he continued. "He can play like a striker but like a number 10, too, but he can understand the play, the timing, the right positions in the right moments. He's a very smart player."