Does Welbeck's exit offer hope to youth?

On the latest Albion Unlimited podcast, BBC Radio Sussex’s Johnny Cantor is joined by former Seagulls forward Warren Aspinall as they discuss Danny Welbeck’s decision to join Chelsea.

Aspinall said he was “gutted” to see Welbeck leave Brighton after the 35-year-old spent over five years at the club.

“We are not just losing a great player on the pitch. We are losing a great player in the dressing room. That is why Chelsea have gone for him,” said Aspinall.

“Yes, he is a bit-part player, but he knows that. It seems to me he has been promised things, and when he reported back for pre-season they have taken it away from him.”

Since Fabian Hurzeler’s arrival at Brighton in June 2024 – Welbeck has been a prominent figure in the Seagulls camp.

Overall, the former Manchester United forward scored 46 goals in 176 league games for Albion.

Although Hurzeler has said he was “sad” to see Welbeck leave the club, Cantor believes this gives an opportunity for Brighton’s youth to claim a leadership role.

He said: “It is great to have James Milner, Welbeck, Lewis Dunk and Pascal Gross in there too. But, there is that thought that until they leave, younger players cannot take on the role as leaders.”

Although Brighton was home to some Premier League veterans last season – they had the second-youngest squad behind Chelsea in the 2025-26 campaign.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here – and don’t forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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