Chelsea vs Brighton: Fabian Hurzeler makes Danny Welbeck feelings clear ahead of reunion
Fabian Hurzeler paid tribute to Danny Welbeck, ahead of the striker's first meeting with Brighton since leaving the club for Chelsea.
Welbeck is on the bench for Sunday's Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge, having moved to the Blues during the summer after six years with the Seagulls.
But while Brighton's travelling supporters will have their first chance to see their former striker in Chelsea colours, Hurzeler was keen to focus on the relationship they built during their time together.
The Brighton head coach said: "We had a really, really good relationship and like I always said, I was really grateful working with him because he helped me a lot.
"He helped me on the pitch. He helped me beside the pitch.
"Therefore I'm really delighted to see that he scored yesterday. On Sunday he can take a break and then afterwards I wish him all the best again."
Welbeck scored his first goal for Chelsea in their Carabao Cup victory over Luton, but Hurzeler will be hoping his former striker does not add to his tally against Brighton.
The 35-year-old remains Brighton's record Premier League goalscorer, having scored 46 times in 176 appearances for the club.
His goals helped the Seagulls twice reach Europe, while he was also part of the side which reached the FA Cup semi-finals and finished sixth in the Premier League in 2022-23.
Brighton chairman Tony Bloom admitted Welbeck’s summer exit to Chelsea was a big blow.
Welbeck joined Chelsea on a two-year contract and paid Brighton around £5m to secure his services. The sale of Welbeck did not go down at all well with a large section of the fanbase.
Bloom, speaking to At The Races TV, said: “Everything is coming together.
“Danny is a big loss. He has been a brilliant player for the club over the last six years but we have got a lot of really good young forwards and we are confident for the season ahead and in Europe for the second time.”