Chelsea have failed to convince Sunderland to sell Granit Xhaka, and despite reports that he wanted a reunion with Xabi Alonso, a deal is now off the table.
There are murmurs on social media that a difference in opinion on spending big on a 33-year-old player resulted in a pointless £8m bid. A tiny bid for a player that cost Sunderland more than double a year ago.
DISCUSS: Granit Xhaka is Chelsea’s perfect summer signing 🔟
Chelsea are now left to lick their wounds and scour the market for another midfielder like Xhaka. There is a growing need for a midfielder like Xhaka, one who can give leadership and Premier League know-how.
Below, we consider three realistic alternatives to Xhaka that Chelsea could sign in the coming weeks and months. A player who provides similar levels of both leadership and quality in Alonso’s midfield.
Three Chelsea alternatives to Granit Xhaka this summer
Ruben Neves (Al Hilal)
Xhaka provides plenty of important attributes. An equal impact defensively, going forward, and simply in possession and dictating the ball. A player who boasts plenty of international experience for his country.
Neves has all of those things in abundance. Chelsea were linked with Neves in January, but he remained at the Saudi side. This summer, Neves could consider a return to European football if an offer is incoming.
A set-piece specialist like Xhaka, though not left-footed, Neves has played in the Premier League for a long time. Able to dictate tempo, play as a quarterback, and offer experience, he’d be an ideal alternative.
Tactically, he is excellent; it is easy to imagine Neves as a manager in the future in the same way Alonso often described Xhaka as a manager on the pitch. But he also boasts a goal threat from long range.
Mateo Kovacic (Man City)
It is remarkable to think that Kovacic only turned 32 in May. Still largely young, albeit off the back of a big injury, Kovacic has shown at the World Cup that he can still produce on the biggest stage of all.
Kovacic is well-liked at Chelsea, leaving the club in 2023 for Man City. Things have not gone to plan at City, struggling for game time when fit behind Rodri. His biggest asset, like Xhaka, is he is press-resistant.
His ability to drive forward from midfield is very similar to Xhaka. A player who has spent the last eight years in England, clocking up 117 caps for Croatia, is widely experienced and possibly keen on a return.
Adrien Rabiot (AC Milan)
A slightly left-field one, but it would be a fine signing nonetheless. Chelsea and Milan have a strong relationship, which has seen plenty of Blues players go to Milan, like Fikayo Tomori and Christian Pulisic.
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France star Rabiot is slightly different to Xhaka in that he is better in the air and plays slightly further forward. But the Milan ace is left-footed, and his ability on the ball and his passing are easily as good.
Rabiot is never far from the exit door, and a move to Chelsea would likely tempt him, after a poor year with Milan. Slightly younger than Xhaka at 31, BlueCo might be more tempted to go after Rabiot, too.
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