Chelsea are looking for an instant return to European football following their dire 2025/26 campaign, and could be about to add the leadership and experience that cost them last season.
Xabi Alonso has been tasked with moving the Blues back into the Champions League and allowing them to access the lucrative financial bonuses they will be missing out on this year.
Chelsea’s absence this season has seen a number of surprising sides finish above them, with Brighton and Sunderland amongst those competing in Europe.
Who will be a bigger success – Enzo Maresca or Xabi Alonso? 🤔
City have confirmed Maresca will replace Guardiola.
Chelsea signing Granit Xhaka could instantly propel them back into Europe
Sunderland and Brighton will be competing across the continent next season, and saw their performances significantly bolstered by the presence of a leader in their side.
Brighton had James Milner rallying the troops in the dressing room, while Granit Xhaka played a key role for the Black Cats, and is now firmly on Chelsea’s radar as a potential signing.
Not only does Alonso have a great understanding of what Xhaka brings to a side, Chelsea should have first-hand experience of how his presence can drag a side up the Premier League table.
Even Brentford, who missed out on Europe despite finishing above the Blues, had the presence of Jordan Henderson in the dressing room, helping them drastically overachieve based on pre-season predictions.
One of the biggest accusations thrown at Chelsea has revolved around their lack of leaders in the side, and how they have capitulated away from home against the above sides.
Xhaka would go a long way to preventing that from occurring again, and is the first major sign that Todd Boehly and co are beginning to genuinely learn from their mistakes.
Who would you start in a five-man defence for Chelsea?
With the Blues only playing once a week this season, there is an expectation that they will have a far better season domestically, much like Manchester United managed under Michael Carrick.
This is a signing Chelsea need to see as a priority for this summer, and the player is fully on board with a move to West London.
So far, Chelsea’s bid of £8m has not been enough to convince Sunderland to enter talks, but they are expected to return to the table with another bid in due time.
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox
