Interviews

Welbeck: It's a joy to play under Roberto

Striker wants to play his part in push for Europe after scoring his third Amex goal in 2023 against Brentford on Saturday.

By Bruce Talbot • 03 April 2023

By Paul Hazlewood
Danny Welbeck heads hone against Brentford in Saturday's 3-3 draw.

Danny Welbeck says it’s a ‘joy’ to play under Roberto De Zerbi as he gets accustomed to playing in a different way under our head coach.

Welbeck scored his third Premier League goal at the Amex in 2023 on Saturday, as Albion came from behind three times to draw with Brentford. We go into tomorrow’s game at AFC Bournemouth in sixth place.

Asked about how he enjoys a slightly deeper role, Welbeck said, “It's brilliant. We don't necessarily play with a striker. which is a bit different. You find yourself a bit deeper in the game, a bit more involved in the build-up play. You might not be the one that's pushing it off from out wide.

“It’s an adjustment and one I'm totally capable of doing, still playing some nice football but being part of the build-up play and hopefully trying to get on the end of things as I did with the goal on Saturday.

“But it's a joy to play under him and I'm loving every single minute of it. He's a special manager and a special man. I’m really pleased to be playing under him, tactically he is tip-top.”

Welbeck wants to play his part in the remaining two months of the season as Albion push for a European place and face his former club Manchester United in the semi-finals of the FA Cup, and he’s keen to help fellow striker Evan Ferguson maintain his upward trajectory.

“I'm looking forward to the run-in,” he added. “It has been a bit of a stop-start season and I’ve not been pleased about that but I’m feeling good. We've got a game on Tuesday now so I'm going to do the best I can to recover for that and get ready to go again.

“The talk around Evan is well deserved. He's been brilliant when he's played and has got some goals as well. Playing under this manager is only going to benefit him massively, to learn his style of play with what he has already got is a great opportunity for him. He’s a great kid with a great mentality. I'm sure he'll have a bright future, I'm rooting for him.”