Chelsea have been strongly linked with the signing of Granit Xhaka this summer, and will be buoyed by what happened the last time they brought in a former Sunderland player.
Xabi Alonso has personally pushed for Chelsea to sign Xhaka after the pair enjoyed a successful time together at Bayer Leverkusen.
Sunderland are adamant that Xhaka is not for sale, although the player’s desperation to play at Stamford Bridge could force the move through this summer.
DISCUSS: Granit Xhaka is Chelsea’s perfect summer signing 🔟
Chelsea’s last former Sunderland player as Granit Xhaka remains a Blues target
It is not too common in Premier League history for players to have featured for both Chelsea and Sunderland, however the most recent example brought great success to the Blues in the form of Marcos Alonso.
The Spaniard had spent a season on loan at the Stadium of Light, where he had featured in the EFL Cup final, but he found the majority of success in England with Chelsea.
Alonso was crucial to Chelsea’s 2016/17 Premier League title win, with Antonio Conte introducing him to the starting side a few games into the season.
His role in a left wing-back position completely caught the Premier League off guard, and could well be the system used by Chelsea when the new manager arrives at Stamford Bridge.
In 212 games, Alonso scored 29 goals and recorded 21 assists, an attacking impact which new wing-back Marco Palestra now he has been announced a new Chelsea player.
Xhaka is the signing Chelsea have to be prioritising next though, with his experience seriously lacking in their first team squad right now.
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Xhaka has to be Chelsea’s next priority
The Switzerland international helped lead Sunderland to European football for next season, when many expected them to be dicing with relegation after their return from the Championship.
His leadership is something that is not present either. There is even an argument that Xhaka could be handed the captain’s armband upon his potential arrival.
If Xhaka can have anywhere near the impact Alonso did at Chelsea, Blues fans will be very pleased with the addition made to their squad.
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