Paul Merson urges Chelsea to give Welbeck, Henderson regular playing time
Arsenal legend Paul Merson has told Chelsea that new signings Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson must be given regular playing time to keep their performance levels up. Speaking on Sky Sports website, Merson praised the club's move to bring in experienced players but warned that without consistent minutes, their form could drop, especially as they age.
He pointed out that Welbeck played 2,267 minutes in the Premier League last season over 37 matches, scoring 13 goals, while Henderson logged 1,924 minutes across 32 games, scoring once and adding three assists. Merson argued that experience is invaluable during tough games when the crowd gets restless, but only if those players stay active on the pitch.
For Chelsea supporters and fantasy managers, the warning highlights a key selection dilemma: balancing youth with veteran presence. If Welbeck and Henderson are used mainly as substitutes or left out of matchday squads, their sharpness may fade, potentially affecting the team's depth in crucial fixtures.
Will Chelsea actually hand Welbeck and Henderson regular starts, or will they remain bench options as Merson fears? If you pick players for fantasy leagues, do you rely on their experience or look for others with guaranteed minutes?