As a Brighton fan, I expect better from Danny Welbeck

Part of any football fans DNA, not just the Albion, has to be realisation that we are effectively the only constant throughout.

Managers come, managers go, players come, players go, even Chairman come and go, although I hope Tony Bloom will be there for many years to come.

But through it all, it’s the manner of exit that’s important. With the Albion squad away on pre-season training in Austria and the rest of us looking forward to the European qualifying draw next Monday, a ‘BOMB’ went off on Monday afternoon when news broke that the Albion had been approached by Chelsea with a view to striker Danny Welbeck moving to Stamford Bridge.

Part and parcel of football, but down the years we’ve seen the likes of Mark Lawrenson, Brian Horton, Peter Ward, Steve Foster, Bobby Zamora, Alexis MacAllister, Moises Caciedo et al all leave the club.

Mode of departure matters

We might only be classed as ‘mere’ fans but to reiterate it’s the mode of departure that matters to the rank and file of supporters. Whilst Danny’s not gone yet, and it might sound naïve even for a 60 something Albion dinosaur, but I actually expected better from him.

As one of the most senior players at the club his contribution on and off the pitch can never be underestimated, and with the club back in Europe he is/was an integral part of Fabian Hurzeler’s squad in what could yet prove to be the most significant season in the clubs 125 year history.

But let’s rewind to 2020, both the country and football in uncharted territory in the shape of COVID 19, and at the start that season Albion announce, on a Sunday lunchtime I recall, that they signed former Manchester United, Arsenal and England striker Danny Welbeck from Watford.

It was a signing that raised a few eyebrows. With the greatest respect it’s appeared the injury prone Welbeck’s best days were behind him. Two goals in 18 starts at Vicarage Road, told a story and many Albion fans were openly criticising then Brighton manager Graham Potter for signing a donkey. One Seagull quipped “He’d be better served giving rides on the beach than plying his trade at the Amex!”

Welbeck’s career rejuvenated at Brighton

But thankfully all the concerns turned out to misplaced , Welbeck’s career was rejuvenated down on the South Coast, he’s now scored more than 50 goals for Albion, and an ‘Indian Summer’ had seen him back in England contention.

As an aside, we can only wonder if he’d been on the bench in Atlanta, and come on for Harry Kane on the hour against Argentina what might have been?

He also helped the club to unprecedented European qualification not once but twice! Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t stand in anyone’s way, but given its Chelsea and the recent history between the clubs, it really the proverbial kick in the nuts for the Albion rank and file.

Welbeck to Chelsea is disrespectful

Regardless of what money Chelsea are prepared to pay him, given his age, stature and knowledge of both Brighton and the game in general, I’m sorry I actually find it disrespectful.

Has he got some form of football amnesia? Does he not remember that legendary Albion win at the Bridge last Autumn, he played an huge part and what it meant to the travelling support and Brighton fans in general?

Is there a way back?... never say never, in the grand scheme of things it wasn’t that long ago that Lewis Dunk wanted to move to Fulham and was prepared to go on strike, but if everything does go South, or should that be North? and Welbeck ends up at the Bridge, will he be sadly forever known in Albion’s circles as Danny Greenback? Ever the eternal Albion optimist, I hope not!