Xabi Alonso and BlueCo have had their first real disagreement. Alonso made it clear that Granit Xhaka was key to his Chelsea plans, and yet, Chelsea were not willing to pay big money for a 33-year-old.
Xhaka and Alonso combined to perfection over at Bayer Leverkusen. After the season Xhaka has just had at Sunderland, the side that pipped Chelsea into Europe on the final day, Alonso wanted a Xhaka reunion.
Chelsea fans, share your expectations for Xabi Alonso! 🏆
But Sunderland weren’t willing to sell, and Chelsea’s sporting directors, who have worked in tandem with BlueCo over the years, were unwilling to offer more than a measly £8m for the Switzerland captain.
Obviously, a bid that was always going to be rejected and a pathetic attempt to appease Alonso. It will be a source of frustration for the Chelsea boss, and now that frustration is set to turn into more of a concern.
Another Chelsea target goes begging as Tottenham pounce
Spurs have been busy this summer. Roberto De Zerbi has wanted his new additions brought in before pre-season starts. Andy Robertson, Martin Dubravka and Marcos Senesi have all joined on free transfers.
Senesi was a Chelsea target, as was Jan Paul van Hecke. The Dutchman has swapped Brighton for North London in a £52m deal, while Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali have joined for nearly a huge £200m.
Now, Spurs have received a ‘yes’ from a Chelsea target. The Blues need a left winger, and Rafael Leao has been linked with a £43m to Stamford Bridge. Leao is at the World Cup with Pedro Neto’s Portugal.
Leao has made it clear that he wants to leave Milan this summer. It felt like a match made in heaven for Chelsea, a proven left-winger who would excite fans, and yet, Leao looks like he could end up at Spurs.
According to TeamTalk, Leao has agreed to join Tottenham if Spurs and Milan can agree a fee. Well, judging by this summer’s deals, Spurs have already had much more success in negotiations.
Frustration for Alonso as another game-changer goes begging
The benefits Xhaka would have brought to Chelsea are obvious. Some much-needed leadership, and the ability to drive standards to a point where the rest of the squad would have to follow, improving form.
DISCUSS: Jarrod Bowen is a better signing than Rafael Leao…
Chelsea have been linked with both this summer.
Leao is not the leader type, but his experience and leadership is in his numbers. For the likes of Estevao, Jesse Derry, Jamie Gittens, Alejandro Garnacho and Geovany Quenda, Leao’s tutorship would be crucial.
That is what this Chelsea side is missing. Plenty of young gems, but not older statesmen that those young gems can learn from. Without that, they are in danger of being unable to fulfil their potential and worth.
For Alonso, it is more frustration and a worry that Chelsea are not going to be able to meet his demands while a rival in Spurs – who are also without Europe – can. Xhaka and now Leao will worry Alonso.
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