Former Arsenal star Paul Merson has advised Chelsea that newcomers Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson require consistent match time to remain effective. Merson lauded the club’s decision to sign these veterans, arguing that Chelsea’s previous reliance on younger players with long-term deals failed to establish them as a global force. He believes integrating seasoned professionals is vital for managing difficult moments in high-pressure games.
Despite his support for the signings, Merson cautioned that benching these players would be counterproductive. Drawing from his own career experience, he noted that aging athletes struggle to maintain form when relegated to the sidelines. He specifically pointed to Welbeck, who maintained high fitness levels at Brighton by appearing in over 30 matches annually for the last two seasons. Merson suspects Henderson might be restricted to a closing role in the final stages of matches, which he warns could impact the midfielder’s performance. Last season, Welbeck logged 2,267 minutes with 13 goals, while Henderson recorded 1,924 minutes with one goal and three assists.
