Danny Welbeck made his Chelsea debut and expressed his gratitude to the fans for their support.

Danny Welbeck, who joined Chelsea earlier this month, made his debut in a friendly match against Juventus in Hong Kong. Welbeck said that playing against strong opponents was very helpful for preseason preparations, and he was also grateful for the enthusiastic support from the fans.

The 35-year-old striker Welbeck previously played for Brighton and made 37 appearances in the 2025/26 Premier League season, scoring 13 goals and providing one assist.

In an interview, Welbeck said, "It's very important to be able to play against strong opponents in a new environment. The new Premier League season is competitive and long, so it's crucial to prepare through matches like these. It feels great to be back on the pitch, but it's a shame we couldn't win."

"However, we had a wonderful time in Hong Kong, where the fans gave us incredible support. We know that Hong Kong fans are passionate about football and we cherish their support. We also have many overseas fans, so it was a very happy thing to meet them in person and let them watch our games live."

Welbeck also said, "We are very grateful for everyone's support and are happy to play in front of so many fans. We hope to repay the fans with a victory when we come to Hong Kong next time."

In addition, Chelsea striker João Pedro, who played for different clubs with Welbeck, said, "Welbeck is a very important person in my life. When I came to England, I didn't speak English, but he was always there for me and supported me, and helped me grow."

“This is the third time we’ve played together, and I believe he will support every player on the team just like he helped me back then. He’s always happy to help others, hoping that everyone around him can become better, and he also hopes that the team can achieve success.”

João Pedro also said, "Everyone knows he is a top player, and I am very much looking forward to playing alongside him again. I believe he will be a very important member of the team."

Image source: Internet