Chelsea are pushing to sign Granit Xhaka from Sunderland, and while a move has come as a surprise given BlueCo’s approach to transfer markets, it would see Chelsea heed Frank Leboeuf’s advice.
Xhaka, 33, seems to be getting better with age. After a stunning spell in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen in which he won the Bundesliga title, Xhaka returned to the Premier League with Sunderland last summer.
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A surprise signing for the Black Cats, Xhaka was effervescent in Sunderland’s first season back in the top tier as they reached Europe – something Chelsea failed to do. Now, Chelsea want Xhaka’s leadership.
Alonso is keen to form a reunion with the midfielder, and Xhaka is said to have agreed personal terms with the Blues. The player wants to join Chelsea but Sunderland are expected to put up a fight for him.
Chelsea are finally listening to Frank Leboeuf’s advice
It’s a change in tack from BlueCo. Without giving Alonso the power they have done, there is no world in which BlueCo would be green-lighting a move for a player who is due to turn 34 in the next few months.
Yet, here we are. Alonso has pushed for the signing of Xhaka and BlueCo are backing him. It sees Chelsea go after a player that Chelsea icon Frank Leboeuf told the Blues to sign from Arsenal back in 2024.
“I’m telling you the one who Chelsea should sign is Granit Xhaka. He’s so impressive and I think Chelsea should have signed him when he left Arsenal,’ Lebouef told BoyleSports, after he had starred in Germany.
“He has been phenomenal for Switzerland at the EUROs and he was also the Player of the Season for Leverkusen – he suits Chelsea so well. He could be the missing piece of the puzzle for them.”
How could Chelsea’s midfield look with Xhaka included?
Realistically, Enzo Fernandez is going to leave Stamford Bridge this summer. Alonso seems to be signing players that can adapt to the 3-4-2-1 system he used at Germany and Xhaka understands his tactics.
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Alongside Moises Caicedo in the middle of the park, Alonso would likely play Cole Palmer and another attacker such as Estevao or Pedro Neto behind the striker. But Xhaka and Caicedo would go side by side.
There are gaps that need to be filled if Chelsea are going to use this formation. Reece James may play on the right of a back three that includes Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colwill, but a left wing-back is needed.
Chelsea are said to be identifying players that are able to play in Alonso’s preferred system, but until the first friendly against Western Sydney Wanderers on July 28th, it will be unclear what Alonso is planning.
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