logo
Danny Welbeck finally reaches career milestone as Brighton striker closes in on most prolific season with penalty in win over Wolves

Danny Welbeck finally reaches career milestone as Brighton striker closes in on most prolific season with penalty in win over Wolves

Daily Mail​11-05-2025

Danny Welbeck never managed it at Manchester United. Not at Arsenal either. Never as a breakthrough teenage star, nor as a seasoned big-club front man in his 20s.
At last, 17 years on from his Premier League debut, at the ripe age of 34, he finally did it. His first-half penalty at Wolves took him into double figures in a top-flight campaign for the first time in his near two-decade career.
He managed nine goals for Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2011-12 and again in 2013-14 under David Moyes. Never since. Not until now, in his fifth season at Brighton, as he continues to thrive in the glow of the fading light.
There is, of course, one big reason for this. Injuries have forever blotched Welbeck's career, from knee problems at the start of his career that ended in surgery that ruled him out of Euro 2016, to repeated hamstring issues in recent years.
Never, though, has he played as many league minutes or started as many games as he has this season. It's why the first people Fabian Hurzeler wanted to thank when he spoke in his post-match press conference after Brighton's win at Wolves was the medical staff.
Brighton's head of performance Gary Walker and Florian Pfab, the club's head of medical, have worked wonders in shaping Welbeck's training schedules and individual treatments to keep him fitter than ever. Hurzeler believes Welbeck still has more years at the top level.
'It is a good milestone to have,' said Welbeck afterwards. 'I'm looking forward to improving. We have two more games left and hopefully I'll get some more goals.'
His 11 goals across all competitions leaves him just one shy of equalling his most prolific season across all competitions, when he netted 12 for United in 2011-12.
Welbeck converted his penalty at Molineux after Matheus Cunha brought down right-back Mats Wieffer, who hailed the influence of his experienced team-mate.
'He was really important for us,' said Wieffer. 'We didn't play the best in the second half. We were really sloppy with the ball but he tried to keep it and from there we had a bit more patience one the ball. That really helped us. In the last couple of games, he is really a target point for us.
'He is a big influence. We don't really have a lot of experienced players, we have a lot of younger groups. He knows what it is to play in the Premier League, he has played here his whole life.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Adam Azim's fight CALLED OFF just hours before opening bell after rival Eliot Chavez's ILLEGAL method to make weight
Adam Azim's fight CALLED OFF just hours before opening bell after rival Eliot Chavez's ILLEGAL method to make weight

The Sun

time23 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Adam Azim's fight CALLED OFF just hours before opening bell after rival Eliot Chavez's ILLEGAL method to make weight

ADAM AZIM's showdown with Eliot Chavez has been cancelled just hours before the walk-ons. The pair were due to fight on the undercard of Callum Simpson's European title fight in Barnsley tonight. 2 2 Azim, 22, boasts an unbeaten record and secured the IBO light-welterweight title in February. He took Saturday's fight at short notice after beating former world champion Sergey Lipinets. But Chavez was left in hot water after it emerged he'd used a sauna to make weight. Promoters Boxxer said in a statement: "The British Boxing Board of Control has withdrawn permission for Eliot Chavez to face Adam Azim tonight in Barnsley following concerns raised by the Mexican Boxing Commission relating to Chavez's use of a sauna to make weight - a practice that is prohibited by the board." Azim immediately reacted on social media, posing an angry face emoji. One fan sympathised: "Sorry to hear that champ. Was looking forward to it." While another said: "This is what happens when you fight someone on like a week or two notice." Chavez went nine rounds with Harlem Eubank in 2022. And Azim was hoping to use the bout to show off his credentials in the division. The 22-year-old declared he would fight anyone on a week's notice - even two-weight world champ Devin Haney. Three-weight world champion Vasily Lomachenko retires after more than 400 FIGHTS in lengthy video Azim, 22, told Sky Sports: "I would fight Haney next week. "I just feel he's moving around more and doesn't want to initiate attacks. "He is a top-level fighter but I don't think he's the same fighter that he was before. "If he's running on the backfoot, throwing one jab every two rounds, why not? "For me I can fight front foot and back foot. "Haney, I think he's got enough power just to keep someone off, but I don't think he has that one-punch power. "But I think if I was going to fight him I think I'd beat him with speed." Tonight's main event at Oakwell sees Simpson face Zucco for the European super-middleweight championship. The pair are expected to ring walk in South Yorkshire around 9.30pm.

Jim Ratcliffe in race against time to meet Ruben Amorim's five Man Utd demands
Jim Ratcliffe in race against time to meet Ruben Amorim's five Man Utd demands

Daily Mirror

time29 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Jim Ratcliffe in race against time to meet Ruben Amorim's five Man Utd demands

Manchester United have a crucial summer of transfer business to conduct to ensure a solid platform for Ruben Amorim to work from as he attempts to turn around the club's fortunes The clock is ticking on Manchester United's hope of delivering what Ruben Amorim wants in his bid to turn around the Red Devils' fortunes. The Portuguese coach is desperate to improve upon the club's 15th place finish in the Premier League. This summer marks the first opportunity for Amorim to lead the club in pre-season, with a more substantial period to make signings after January saw the arrivals of Ayden Heaven and Patrick Dorgu. It also sees the moment where Amorim preferred to arrive at Old Trafford before being told he had to join United in January. ‌ The first transfer window of the summer is open until June 10, before the market once again becomes available to work in from June 16. United have already announced the arrival of Matheus Cunha in a £62.5million deal, but there remains plenty of work to do. ‌ Amorim is said to have seen his first months in the job as firefighting as United failed to earn European football. Now, the 40-year-old wants to see a fresh start. According to ESPN, he wants at least one more new signing while also getting rid of at least four unwanted players. The club heads to Chicago on July 22 - a date that Amorim would like to see the issues resolved by. After signing Cunha, United are now working to add Bryan Mbeumo to their team. The Cameroon international is keen to make the switch, though United are still required to come to an agreement with Brentford. It is perhaps exits that will be more important to maintaining a harmonious environment for Amorim however. Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Antony would all appear to have no future with the Red Devils, while Alejandro Garnacho faces an uncertain future too. Sancho saw Chelsea pay a £5million fee to not sign him permanently, while Rashford's transfer preference is Barcelona, who would perhaps prefer to loan the forward. Antony meanwhile enjoyed a promising loan at Real Betis, while Garnacho has been told to find a new club amid an end of season dispute. If deals are not sealed in time for United's trip to the United States, it puts Amorim and the club in the difficult position of deciding how to integrate such players. Taking those stars on tour risks disruption to Amorim's preparations, while leaving them out could see their values drop quickly. ‌ Amorim has discussed United's plans for the summer. 'Without Champions League, we don't need a big squad, we can control the squad in a better way," he said. "Then we have a plan that is to bring some new players, of course. But our big plan is to improve the team that we have, is to improve our academy, because I think that is the future. It was the past, so can be the future. ‌ 'It's not going to change so much because we have the financial fair play rules. We are not allowed to do much this summer, even with Champions League, so we are prepared for that. 'It's important to stick together. We are going to struggle, it is not going to be everything right away but I have a feeling and I see the team improving and that is the most important thing.'

Thomas Tuchel says there are just 10 spots left in England World Cup 2026 squad
Thomas Tuchel says there are just 10 spots left in England World Cup 2026 squad

Daily Mirror

time29 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Thomas Tuchel says there are just 10 spots left in England World Cup 2026 squad

England resume their World Cup qualification campaign on Saturday with a trip to Andorra, but players are fighting for a diminishing number of places in Thomas Tuchel's squad England boss Thomas Tuchel has admitted there are just 10 spots remaining in his squad for next summer's World Cup. The Three Lions still have six games to play in their qualification group. Their next match comes on Saturday evening when they travel to face minnows Andorra in Barcelona. But having won their opening two qualifiers, England appear almost certain to book their place in next summer's tournament. ‌ That will be held across the United States of America, Canada and Mexico. The revamped competition will see more games than ever before, though only 16 countries will be dumped out at the group stage. ‌ England are likely to be one of the favourites to win the World Cup, having finished as runners-up in each of the last two European Championships. Tuchel has been brought in to lead them to glory in next summer's tournament. The German has sprung a few surprises in his first few squads, bringing the likes of Jordan Henderson and Ivan Toney in from the cold. He only has a handful more camps in which to test out players in his team. And a year out from the World Cup, the England boss has now confirmed that there are only 10 spots remaining in his squad. Each country will be allowed to name 26 players for the tournament. But Tuchel has already settled on 16 names. He told ITV Sport: "I have to take a guess, I would say 16, maybe. But it's just a guess, maybe it's less, maybe it's more. We need a bit of time. We still have time." The Three Lions are heavy favourites to smash Andorra, before hosting Senegal in a friendly at Nottingham Forest's City Ground on Tuesday. Speaking after naming his squad for these games, Tuchel admitted he is relishing the chance to work with his players again. ‌ 'We can't wait,' Tuchel said. 'It's been a while. We had a good first camp and we are eager to do the next step and have a good camp again in Spain and back at St. George's Park with two matches. 'We want to win both matches. It's super important. We are the heavy favourites [against Andorra] and we expect from ourselves a win. We will prepare for this game with all the respect and of course, very seriously. 'We love Wembley and Wembley is our home but it's a nice change of routine [to play at the City Ground]. It will be a nice occasion because Senegal are a strong team, high up in the international ranking, so it will be a good test and a necessary test.' ‌ 'This is maybe the last chance to integrate more players and see more players in our environment and see how they behave and see the quality and what they can bring to the group. 'We added some new guys to have a full picture when things become even more competitive in September, October and November.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store