Danny Welbeck uses his energy to drive Graham Potter’s silent revolution

There was a time when Danny Welbeck had to juggle dreams. If the student prodigy hoping to make it to Manchester United battled for the position with Frash Kid, his alter ego who writes music.

Football soon won, but Welbeck still has an eye on topping the charts. Even after 30 minutes, the Brighton striker does not accept a relegation in the rankings.

“Obviously there are a lot of younger members in the squad who might see me as a high-ranking member,” he says.

Danny Welbeck has found a new life since joining Brighton and Hove Albion

‘I have a lot of experience playing in the Premier League and internationally. So there are a lot of players who are younger than me. I’m not sure if they are faster than me! ‘Welbeck laughs. “Maybe Tariq Lamptey …”

After last week’s birthday, Adam Lallana and Jason Steele are the only teammates with more miles on the clock. But time cannot dull every tool, and Welbeck wants to prove to this company on the south coast that his race is far from over.

“I still feel young,” he smiles. “I still feel young, fit and healthy. That’s the most important. ‘

Feeling healthy has not been easy since Osgood-Schlatter disease hit his knees as a teenager. The years in between brought enough upheaval to tire everyone: six clubs, 16 managers and many lonely months on the treatment table.

The 30-year-old forward scored his first goal for the club against Aston Villa last month

Before signing for Brighton, Welbeck had only scored three league goals in two and a half years. However, the early days of Graham Potter indicate that he would remain keen on feet and minds. Against Aston Villa, he clearly raced out of his own half to score his first Albion goal. Last week against Liverpool, his ruse was rewarded with a last-minute penalty that earned some of the booty.

Ever since Potter signed Welbeck for a free transfer last month, he’s been trying to “modify” the forward’s all-action instincts. It won’t be easy when energy has always determined Welbeck’s game – and his preferred taste remains.

After his success at Manchester United and Arsenal, he has a winning mentality

However, he admits that the formidable Tariq Lamptey could be beaten by him for his speed

“You can see the urgent style of teams like Liverpool and Bayern Munich. It’s always a pleasure to see that,” he said. ‘To see everyone connect as a team and move together so efficiently across the field. Everyone knows their job.

“Putting it together is difficult, but to have this enthusiasm and energy throughout the game, the togetherness, that’s what I enjoy.”

Last week Brighton went head to toe with Liverpool. Welbeck made it through the course for the second straight week, and late VAR helped Brighton score a well-deserved point when Andy Robertson’s kick against Welbeck was spotted at Stockley Park.

“It’s weird,” says Welbeck (left) of the repetition system. “I’m not used to that. That’s football right now. This is what we have to deal with – we cannot change it. ‘

Does he wish he could? “I would prefer to be more efficient,” he says. The same charge could be directed at Brighton. Also this season, many would claim that their performances deserved better results. Nobody can deny the beauty of their game. But what really makes good football when Potter’s team vacillates in 16th place?

The striker had a frustrating stint at Watford and left after relegation in the summer

“Winning: That is probably the most important thing,” says Welbeck. “Then you win like this.”

Here he and Lallana hope to bring about change. Behind the scenes you get the feeling that both summer signings have taken Brighton to a new level, not just with their quality on the pitch, but also in training and how they carry and apply themselves.

Both are winners too. Together they have collected practically all of the medal club’s football offers. As Brighton Eye takes the next step, that feels important. “Yes, experience is priceless,” says Welbeck.

“You know what it takes to win. How you prepare every day – not just on matchday, but throughout the week. There is no time to rest, there is always an opportunity to learn and focus on your upcoming challenges. ‘

Just like he showed it during a short purgatory stay. In October, Welbeck went without a club for 12 days after his contract with Watford was terminated. Potter claims “simpler” offers have come in, but “Agent” Lallana helped arrange a free one-year contract with Brighton.

Welbeck has also worked on his mental fitness in view of his injury problems

“It was a bit difficult without training with a team,” says Welbeck. “I still worked every day. There was a physical therapist in Watford, Francesco. I still worked with him. And with Lee, Danny and Pablo – the Watford fitness trainers. When I got to Brighton I was in the best shape I could have been. It takes a while. You don’t have a preseason. You’re not in the training sessions. But I worked hard to get in as easily as possible. ‘

Initial signs suggest this could be a coup in the long run. A longer stay would also give Welbeck more opportunity to explore his surroundings. Lockdown and life in the bubble have prevented sightseeing along the Brighton coastline. “It wasn’t your normal getting used to like getting around seeing places,” he says.

But Welbeck came here to improve rather than celebrate. And even in this wretched year, nothing will affect his first love.

“As soon as you have the football at your feet and you’re on the field against someone, that’s the joy of the game,” he said.

“Of course there are many other factors involved: the fans, and you want them to be there. Hope we can get back to it asap, full stadiums are rocking again. This is going to be great. ‘

Two thousand supporters will return to AMEX on Monday to clash with Southampton. It will give a first glimpse of their new arrival.

Should Welbeck stay fit and shoot, more heads will turn and talk of a recall from England will only swell. The 30-year-old was on Gareth Southgate’s squad for the 2018 World Cup. It was also a popular choice with previous managers. Welbeck’s international ambitions remain unchanged, but right now he’s playing with a straight racket. It has too many scars to look far ahead, even with a rescheduled euro looking over the horizon.

Welbeck is reluctant to see his chances of working his way back into Gareth Southgate’s English team