"Something Special" - Danny Welbeck Makes Bold Prediction On Chelsea's Season After Summer Spending Spree

Danny Welbeck will be hoping to make an impression against his former side, Brighton, in their next fixture.

Danny Welbeck believes Chelsea have the quality in their squad to “build something special” this season under Xabi Alonso.

Welbeck, who joined Chelsea from Brighton and Hove Albion this summer, made his official debut for the Blues in Thursday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup second-round win against Luton Town.

What a debut it was. After being held to a goalless first half by the League One side, it was Welbeck who broke the deadlock, heading in what he described as a “quality delivery” from Malo Gusto early in the second half.

Interestingly, he insisted that he enjoyed linking up with high-calibre attackers such as Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers as much as leading the line for the team.

“It's such a privilege to play with some of these players, and it's a joy when you're out there on the pitch,” Welbeck told Chelsea’s in-house media in a post-match interview.

“For me, playing as a nine today, it was more about staying on the last line. When the ball came to me, I was always ready to link up with the likes of Morgan and Cole.

Welbeck very confident in this 'special' Chelsea squad

The 35-year-old is one of Chelsea’s 10 signings so far this summer. He and Jordan Henderson, in particular, have been brought in as veterans to raise the standard in the squad both on and off the pitch.

Obviously, Chelsea have continued to acquire proven star players such as Rogers and Maxence Lacroix as reinforcements. The club have also signed young talents with potential such as Geovany Quenda, Marco Palestra and Valentin Barco to reinforce various positions.

Unlike in the last few years, this is clearly a more balanced Chelsea squad, and Welbeck believes this team have the personnel to aim high in 2026/27.

“We can build something special here,” the England international added.

“With the quality of players we have here, it's only right that we believe we can achieve something special.

“We'll keep pushing and working every single day, and we'll be trying to get those results at the weekends.”

Alonso wants to fight for every trophy

Alonso himself has refused to set a target for his team. The Chelsea manager has reiterated several times that the “ambition” is to be “as high as possible”.

However, based on his comment prior to the win over Luton Town, it is clear that Alonso wants his team to compete on all fronts.

“I have to say this year, knowing that we have time for all the competitions, every cup is important, every game,” he said on Wednesday.

“We want to have the best competitive team to face Luton with all the respect that everything deserves, and Luton is going to be the first one in Carabao.”

The Spaniard certainly kept his word as Rogers, Palmer, and even Reece James stayed in the starting XI on Thursday. The lack of European football this season allows Alonso to make fewer rotations, which may prove a big advantage over top Premier League rivals.

The most realistic objectives for Chelsea this season would be to finish in Champions League spots and compete for trophies in domestic cup competitions.

That said, aside from Arsenal, the other potential rivals for the Premier League title, such as Liverpool and Manchester City, are in the process of rebuilding. There is a realistic possibility that Chelsea may be in the race for the title, given, as Welbeck pointed out, the quality they have in their squad.