Brighton centre-forward Danny Welbeck has started the 2024-25 season in fine form, scoring five goals and registering one assist in eight Premier League appearances so far this term.
The 33-year-old arrived at Amex Stadium in October 2020 on a free transfer, after agreeing a one-year contract with the club to work under former Seagulls manager Graham Potter.
Speaking on BBC Sounds’ Planet Premier League podcast, Potter praised the “role model” goalscorer, stating: “If you get Danny Welbeck fit and enjoying his football, the quality is still there.
“He is a top player and a top person. Credit to the club – they didn’t just recognise that it is about signing young players, it is also about understanding what older players can do for the environment and for the collective.
“Somebody like Danny is a role model. He can teach you how to act, how to be, how to condition yourself and how to interact with your team-mates at the highest level.
“I’m delighted for him that he is doing what he is doing. I think he is contributing with goals, he is intelligent, he can drop in and he can threaten the backline.
“If you see what Danny has had to go through, I think he is also a resilient character. He is a good human being, so he doesn’t get carried away too much with the nonsense of football.
“To have someone [in your squad] that has been there and done it, and can just handle it well, I think is priceless as a coach.
“We talk about tactics such as half spaces and all this stuff, which is of course really important, but there is a human side to the game as well – having players like him is just so valuable.”
Listen to the latest episode here
