Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has heaped praise on Danny Welbeck following a thrilling 6-3 victory over Leeds in the third round of the League Cup.
The 35-year-old forward notched a brace, bringing his tally in the tournament to three goals. While Welbeck's performance was stellar, Alonso has been opting for Joao Pedro as his first-choice striker in the Premier League.
Alonso remarked:
“Danny is definitely showing what he can do. But it’s not just about him being a role model for the younger players. It's about the team and the different situations that arise during matches.
We had to make a few changes today, and I'm really pleased for Danny that he scored in this competition.”
The Spaniard reiterated the importance of context when evaluating players, especially with the squad rotation seen against Leeds:
“When you field multiple players who haven't played together before, it can be tough for them to find their best football immediately. We saw that today, and I need to bear this in mind for future matches.”
