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Joao Pedro issues official verdict on shock Chelsea transfer decision
Updated: 6 Aug 2026 15:45 BST |
4 min read
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Chelsea forward Joao Pedro has hailed the club’s decision to sign his former Watford and Brighton & Hove Albion team-mate Danny Welbeck this summer.
Welbeck, 35, completed a €5.9 million move to Stamford Bridge last week, after scoring 13 goals during the 2025-26 Premier League season, and he made his debut for the Blues during their 1-0 defeat to Juventus in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday.
Current ETV
Danny Welbeck
F (C)
Chelsea
Danny Welbeck
F (C)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€2.4M - €3.6M
The former England international will add crucial experience to Chelsea’s young squad, alongside fellow new signing Jordan Henderson, and his move is likely to signal the end of either Nicolas Jackson or Liam Delap’s career with Xabi Alonso’s side.
Welbeck is expected to play second fiddle to Pedro this season, following the Brazilian’s immense debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, and the 24-year-old has admitted his delight at being reunited with his former team-mate.
“Personally, Danny is a very important person for me in life,” Pedro told the official Chelsea website. “When I came to England [at Watford], I didn’t speak English, but he always tried to be around me to support me and help me develop.
“This will now be the third time that we have played together and I think, as he did with me in the past, he will give support to everyone in the squad. Danny is this guy; he is very helpful and wants the best for everyone around him and for the team.
“Everyone knows that he is a top player. I’m looking forward to playing alongside him again and I think he will be a very good person to have in the group.”
Moises Caicedo praises Danny Welbeck signing
Meanwhile, Moises Caicedo, who played with Welbeck at Brighton, has also praised Chelsea’s decision to sign the ex-England striker.
“When he arrived here, I gave him a hug because I was so happy when he signed,” the Ecuador captain revealed.
“As a player and as a person, Danny is top. He helped me a lot when I arrived at Brighton. He was so important for me and to have him here at Chelsea, it feels good. I am so happy to have him here and he is going to help us a lot for sure. With his mentality, he has everything and he is going to be so important for us.”
Welbeck is expected to compete with Emmanuel Emegha for game time as Alonso’s second-choice striker this term, and he could make his competitive debut for Chelsea during their first game of the new Premier League season against Fulham on 24 August.
The Englishman is one of 11 new players to join Chelsea this summer, alongside Morgan Rogers, Maxence Lacroix, Marco Palestra, Geovany Quenda, Valentin Barco, Emegha, Denner, Dastan Satpaev, Harrison Bettoni and Henderson.
