DANNY WELBECK, Joao Pedro and myself had been all relegated with Watford in 2020.
Absolutely nobody would have imagined two of these can be again collectively at Chelsea this season.
Having outscored the pair of them that 12 months, I just can not consider I didn’t get a name from somebody at Stamford Bridge over the summer season.
But Welbz and Joao are a unbelievable duo for Chelsea to have collectively because the Blues look to construct one thing completely different below Xabi Alonso.
Joao is primed for an enormous, large 12 months. I’m not breaking any confidences when I say not making Brazil’s World Cup squad harm him loads.
He’s the kind of participant who doesn’t just need to be within the squad, he needs to be the No 9, their fundamental man.
That hearth, a positive begin in opposition to Fulham and a season with out European soccer imply I can see him having an enormous 12 months.
I don’t assume he will problem for the Golden Boot, he’s not a killer like Erling Haaland or Alexander Isak — he’s extra of a rounded, full participant who likes to create as properly.
But he has had that burning need and focus to be at the highest since arriving with me at Watford, when he was an 18-year-old who didn’t need to be advised there was a pecking order.
And he has not modified since, I can nonetheless choose the telephone up to him and have a chat each time and he’s the identical child. Another Brazilian I performed with at Watford, Richarlison, is totally the opposite method — I don’t recognise him now, it’s night time and day.
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Joao nonetheless has that fireside and Welbeck is the best foil for him.
He used to get referred to as Uncs, Uncle Welbeck or Welbz once we had been at Watford collectively (above) and I’ve recognized him since he was at Manchester United.
He’s just infectious, an important character, by no means depressing.
Trust me, Watford is a spot that you would be able to be depressing very, in a short time. I don’t assume there was a day the place he got here in and was down.
Every time smiling, just an appreciation of enjoying soccer for a residing.
He’s aggressive, needs to play, needs to be match and accessible — and he does the work.
Danny bought off to a flying begin along with his header in opposition to Luton on Thursday and you can see he has already made a big effect within the dressing room by how buzzing his new team-mates had been celebrating his aim.
If Alonso needs to rotate or wants to maneuver Pedro a bit deeper, I can see Danny slotting in simply.
He can play old-school in a two, on his personal, meet crosses or, as he has completed at Brighton, play in a extra intricate system.
He’s additionally in unbelievable situation. If Danny’s bought his prime off and you’re a younger lad, you’ll go, ‘Wow, who is that?’
That entire package deal is large for Chelsea as they appear so as to add some maturity to a proficient squad.
And it shouldn’t be just Pedro he will assist. I can see him rubbing off on Cole Palmer.
Being from Manchester provides them one thing to attach over and Palmer’s cheeky response when requested after the win over Fulham if he’s prepared for this new season — saying, “Did you not watch the game?” — confirmed me he’s been hanging round Danny.
We can’t get too overexcited by just one Prem match. But Chelsea made begin, and if Danny can hold everybody’s heads up and Joao can keep that type, my two Watford mates are on for an enormous 12 months at the Blues.