West Ham United boss David Moyes has told Sky Sports that he decided against signing Danny Welbeck due to his injury record.
The Hammers take on Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League this afternoon, and that means Moyes locking horns with Seagulls striker Welbeck.
Moyes coached Welbeck at Manchester United during the 2013-14 season, and it’s clear that the Scot still holds him in high regard.
Welbeck has struggled with injuries in recent years, making just eight league appearances in the 2018-19 season and just 18 with Watford last term.
The 30-year-old was released by the Hornets in October, and joined Brighton on a free transfer less than two weeks later, making an instant return to the top flight.
Welbeck has impressed under Graham Potter, scoring twice in eight games for the Seagulls – and he will be looking to add to that tally today.
Moyes has now admitted that he enjoyed working with Welbeck at United, so much so that he thought about signing Welbeck on a free transfer for West Ham.
However, his injury record put Moyes off a deal, though the West Ham boss remains pleased with the striker’s form at Brighton.
“I am really pleased for Danny because I enjoyed working with him at Manchester United, he is a great boy and enthusiastic,” said Moyes.
“He has had a few injuries and he was someone who I did consider and I was probably just a little concerned about his injuries in the past more than anything else. I have got to say I am really pleased for him because he is a good boy, a good footballer who has worked hard on his game and been doing well for Brighton,” he added.
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